Hybrid cars use an electric motor as well as a normal petrol motor to achieve much greater fuel efficiency than with conventional cars. They are available from $13,000 at http://www.autotrader.co.nz/UsedItemResults.aspx?N=0&Ntt=prius&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=All&si...
Another possibility is an electric scooter or bike. These typically charge within in hour or two and can go tens of kilometers off a single charge. Electric scooters' performance is roughly the same as a petrol one (max speed of around 50 - 60 kph) , and their cost is in the same ballpark as a conventional scooter.
Electric bikes are typically much less powerful than scooters, but the thought of having a motor to help with 80% of the effort makes a bike a much more attractive idea!
Scooters can be bought from http://www.evworld.co.nz/products/kero-electric-mopeds/ and bikes from http://www.e-bike.co.nz/pages/products.html
Electric vehicles make the most difference to your CO2 emissions when your electricity comes from a renewable source. The only power company who gets all their electricity from renewable sources is Meridian.
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Toyota Prius
I have owned a Toyota Prius (Hybrid) for over a year now and have never regretted it. Not only do I save petrol but it is a joy to drive. You really notice how much petrol is used if the air conditioning is used (or the heater). Normally the car completely switches off when you are stopped at lights, traffic jams etc., but mostly needs to keep running if these power hungry devices are left running.
Happy motoring
Had any problems with it
There is so much technology in those cars that I wonder if something went wrong, it could cost lots to fix. I presume the batteries don't last for ever and need to be replaced and also I presume they use LEAD in their construction.
Don't get me wrong, the idea is good.
Hybrid Car
I know what your saying. I haven't had any problems yet. The hybrid battery is guaranteed for 7 years. We can only try our best and realise that no answer is perfect. Of course it would be best not to have cars but at the moment our whole society is geared round them.
Hybrid Car
Seven years is pretty good for a guarantee! Of course Toyota make some of the most reliable cars so thats a good start. Does it have much urge when you pull out to pass a car on the highway. I understand they are quite heavy partly due to the battery.
Honda sell one now too don't they.
Hybrid Cars
The Prius has a lot of grunt actually. At times the electric motor runs but it's self, sometimes just the petrol by itself ( when the battery needs recharging) and sometimes both (quick accelaration and starting from stopped).
I test drove both cars (4 hrs each). The Toyota is more expensive than the Honda, but it handled better, is a hatch back (you wouldn't believe what I can cram into it). The Honda is cheaper but doesn't handle as well and is a sedan (you can't every put down 1 of the back seats for long loads). The main reason for this is the placement of the battery. The toyota battery is placed a lot lower in the vehicle. This is my first toyota, I had a honda before which was a very good car. Sorry if I rave abit but I'm so lucky to have the Prius. All my friends love driving it too.
More on electric vehicles and electric public transport
There's more info about electric vehicles and electric public transport at http://www.bethechange.org.nz/blogs/timjones/electric-vehicles-and-electric-public-transport
- Tim Jones
7 year guarantee
The reason the Prius has such a long guarantee on it's NiMH battery packs is because they're kept at near-full charge their whole life. Never going flat and never over-charging. Toyota even has a very comprehensive recycling process for their Prius batteries. Every single inch of plastic and Nickel are recycled.
With a little luck, Toyota will soon release the "Plug-In" version, which allows you to run on 100% electricity for distances below 40 miles (64km).
Sadly Toyota currently says in their press releases we (the consumer) don't want that option, despite the fact there are many Prius owners in the USA re-programming their Prius cars & adding recharging sockets on the bumpers themselves! Good on those consumers!
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Convert your car to electricity too - It's easy! www.KiwiEV.com