http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/70803052/Uber-gives-users-a-ride-in-the-rare-electric-Tesla Uber gives users a ride in the rare electric Tesla SHANE COWLISHAW August 4 2015
[image http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/6/5/k/8/q/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.165jzg.png/1438642079667.jpg Auckland-based audio software developer Steve West owns one of the few Tesla Model S cars in New Zealand, and is offering free rides through Uber / Mytchall Bransgrove/Fairfax NZ http://www.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/6/5/k/5/o/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.165jzg.png/1438642079667.jpg The Tesla Model S, a luxury car with a range of more than 300km on a single charge / Supplied ] Aucklanders are being wooed to consider the switch to electric cars with promises of free taxi rides in a rare top flight Tesla. Tesla is seen as the world's leading electric car design company thanks in large part to the charisma of its chief executive Elon Musk, who is at the forefront of renewable electricity technology. Aucklander Steve West, owner of one of the few Tesla Model S cars in New Zealand and chairman of electric vehicle lobby group Better NZ, will be driving passengers around Auckland on Tuesday in his Tesla. He teamed up with online transport company Uber, which allows users to book and track rides through their phone. Uber users who entered the code "LEADINGTHECHARGE" into the app between 10am-2pm on Tuesday had the chance to select the Tesla as their ride option, for free. The cars have proved popular in the US, with the Tesla Model S winning multiple car of the year awards. They are limited, however, by a lack of electric car charging stations in New Zealand and are yet to become popular here. A common problem with fully electric cars is "range fear", with owners concerned about running out of electricity with nowhere to recharge. Tesla's cars have helped dispel that fear, with the luxury Model S boasting a range of more than 300 kilometres on a single charge. In July Auckland's first public electric vehicle charging stations went live in a partnership between Mighty River Power and Auckland Transport. The charging stations, which fit any plug-in vehicle, are on the ground floor of the downtown carpark near the Customs St exit and are free to use. Mighty River chief executive Fraser Whineray said Auckland had the highest rate of electric vehicle ownership and charging stations were important to ensure that growth continued. "There is a compelling proposition for all of us and for New Zealand in supporting the uptake of renewable electricity as a transport fuel. "It's make right here, costs less than 30 cents per litre, and takes about two tonnes of carbon out of the environment for every electric vehicle on the road every year." [© 2015 Fairfax New Zealand] http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1508/S00103/getting-uber-excited-about-electric-vehicles.htm Getting Uber Excited About Electric Vehicles 4 August 2015 Press Release: Sustainable Business Network To celebrate the Smart Transport Forum being held on the 6th of August, Leading the Charge and Uber joined forces this week to give members of the Sustainable Business Network the opportunity to experience the thrill of riding in an electric vehicle. On 3rd and 4th August, Aucklanders interested in sustainable transport were given the chance to ride in the state-of-the-art Tesla Model S, one of only two Tesla models in New Zealand. “New Zealand is perfectly positioned to embrace electric vehicle technology”, says Rachel Brown, CEO of Sustainable Business Network. Steve West, Leading the Charge member and founder of the first nationwide fast charging corridor Charge.Net.NZ agrees, “We are a global leader in renewable generation, our fuel is expensive, and our average trip length is short. So we wanted to share the experience of electric vehicles with as many people as possible, and we’re excited to do that with Uber”. With tens of thousands of kiwis already choosing Uber as a safe, reliable and affordable way to move around Auckland and Wellington, the Tesla experience is sure to get people excited about the future of point-to-point transportation in New Zealand. [© Scoop Media] For EVLN posts use: http://evdl.org/evln/ http://www.the-peak.ca/2015/08/bring-more-plug-in-cars-to-canada/ Need to bring more plug-in cars to Canada http://www.thelocal.dk/20150803/copenhagen-to-reach-600-ev-charging-stations 100 more added to 500 public EVSE in Copenhagen.dk + EVLN: Tesla's prototype robotic-snake EVSE overlord {brucedp.150m.com} -- View this message in context: http://electric-vehicle-discussion-list.413529.n4.nabble.com/EVLN-Kiwi-Tesla-S-EVangel-gives-free-Uber-rides-Tuesdays-10a-2p-tp4677105.html Sent from the Electric Vehicle Discussion List mailing list archive at Nabble.com. _______________________________________________ UNSUBSCRIBE: http://www.evdl.org/help/index.html#usub http://lists.evdl.org/listinfo.cgi/ev-evdl.org For EV drag racing discussion, please use NEDRA (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NEDRA)
