Save by making the switch to an EV
Fuel prices are dominating the headlines at the moment. While we can’t control global oil markets, there are ways we can limit our exposure to them. If you have been thinking about making the switch to an EV lets dive in on how you could save.
The upfront cost of EV’s and anxiety about the range they can travel on a charge are often what makes people hesitant to go electric.
It’s true that some EV’s have a higher upfront cost compared to their fossil fuel counterparts, but there’s an ever increasing number of cost competitive models hitting the market. And the used EV market is a good option if a new model is out of your budget.
Worries about the range are largely unwarranted now. Many mid-priced EVs have a driving range in excess of 350km, with higher spec models getting up to 600km. There are plenty of public charges available and more are being added all the time.. If you only need a car for round town day-to-day driving, even an older Nissan Leaf with a range of 135-150km could do the job.
We caught up with Bruce Fowler from NordEast Vehicle Distributors to learn more about the growing EV market in NZ and what you need to consider if you’re looking at an EV.
NordEast brings Geely owned brands to New Zealand. While you might not have heard of Geely you will know many of the brands they own including Volvo, Lotus and Polestar. Internationally Geely own the London EV Company producing all-electric variants of London’s iconic black cabs.
Q: Kia ora Bruce, tell us about your EV lineup. What would you recommend for different lifestyles?
A: Across our brands, there’s an EV for almost every lifestyle including:
Geely EX5 – Entry‑level, efficient, and easy to live with
Zeekr 7X – Award‑winning performance and premium technology
Polestar 4 - Coupé aerodynamics with SUV spaciousness.
Volvo EX90 – Flagship 7‑seat electric SUV with Volvo’s famous safety
Riddara RD6 – New Zealand loves utes. Here’s an electric solution
Farizon Van – Purpose‑built electric load hauler
Our Recommendations
1) Best EVs for a Daily Commute
Geely EX5
Ideal for: Family use and first‑time EV buyers
Indicative price: from $49,990
Range: Up to 430 km*
What we love (and people don’t always notice):The EX5 provides owners with exceptional build quality and features not normally experienced at this price. It’s simple to operate, compact, light and easy to park.
Zeekr 7X
Ideal for: People who want style and performance without sacrificing efficiency
Indicative price: from $69,990
Real‑world range: Up to 617 km*
What we love:The Zeekr 7X blends luxury, performance, and cutting‑edge software. Its ultra‑fast DC charging capability — up to 80% charge in around 15–20 minutes on compatible chargers is a game‑changer for busy schedules.
2) Best EVs for Families
Volvo EX90 (7 Seater)
Ideal for: Growing families, long road trips, safety‑first buyers
Indicative price: from $149,990
Range: Up to 600 km*
What we love:Seven usable seats, exceptional safety credentials, and a calm, refined driving experience make this one of the most future‑proof family vehicles on the road. Seamlessly integrated technology, from the Google‑built infotainment and over‑the‑air updates to the powerful core computing platform, makes the vehicle smarter and more intuitive.
Polestar 4
Ideal for: those who want striking design and strong performance without sacrificing efficiency.
Indicative price: from $119,990
Range: Up to 620 km*
What we love:The Polestar 4 blends bold Scandinavian styling with technology‑first design. It boasts an innovative digital rear‑view camera system and ultra‑fast DC charging that can deliver up to 80% in around 20 minutes on compatible chargers.
3) Work‑Ready EVs
Riddara RD6 – The Electric Ute
Ideal for: Tradies, lifestyle block owners, and outdoor adventures.
Indicative price: from $69,990
Range: Up to 360 km*
What we love: Vehicle‑to‑Load (V2L) capability lets you power tools directly from the ute. This isn’t a compromise ute - it’s a purpose‑built EV platform with torque on demand and refined on‑road manners.
Farizon Electric Van
Ideal for: couriers, tradies and urban fleets
Indicative price: from $74,990
Range: Up to 376 km* (load‑dependent)
What we love: Low step‑in height, configurable cargo layouts, zero tailpipe emissions. Offers significant savings over diesel vans especially in stop-start city driving.
Q. What are the servicing requirements for EV's?
A. EVs have far fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel vehicles. Typical servicing includes:
Cabin air filters
Software updates
Brake inspections (regenerative braking reduces wear)
There’s no oil, spark plugs, or timing belts.
Q. How have the EV's that you've sold performed over time?
A. Across the brands we represent:
Battery degradation has been minimal, typically well under 10% after several years and over 150,000km
Minimal wear on brakes due to regenerative braking
Reliability has been strong, supported by robust battery warranties
Customer feedback consistently highlights low running costs and smooth ownership
Q. What's the wait time for an EV?
A. Wait times vary by model and specification, but the good news is:
Many models are available from stock or within weeks
High‑demand variants may take longer, particularly for premium trims
Our dealers can give clear, realistic delivery timelines at the time of order.
Q. What should a new EV driver consider?
A. If you’re new to EVs, here are a few practical tips:
Home charging changes everything as even a standard wall socket covers most daily driving
Install a smart wall charger at home to take advantage of off-peak power rates (3 x faster than wall socket)
Public charging is growing rapidly across NZ, especially on main highways
Regenerative braking feels different at first, but most drivers love it within days
EVs are cheaper to run, quieter, and surprisingly quick off the line
Once people switch to an EV, they rarely go back.
EV’s offer substantial savings in operating costs compared to traditional cars, a key aspect of this being that the cost to charge an EV is generally a whole lot cheaper than fueling with petrol or diesel. If you’re on a power plan that offers off-peak pricing you can make the most of cheaper rates to charge. Both our OctopusFlexi and OctopusPeaker plans offer Half-Price Nights so you can plug in overnight and wake up to a fully charged car. Things get even better if you also have solar and a battery and can use your own generated power to charge.
If you take a look at the yearly driving cost comparison from EECA’s ‘The economics of household electrification’ report it's easy to see how these savings add up over time. (You can read the full report here).
Make the most of Intelligent Octopus
Intelligent Octopus integrates with your EV to create a customised charging schedule every time you plug in. You tell us how much you need to charge, and by when, and Intelligent Octopus will optimise based on the speed of your charger and the wholesale energy price. This ensures you get the cheapest possible charge.
A basic charge timer switches on and off at the time you set. Smarter charges can be programmed to take advantage of lower prices at night, but that’s the limit. Intelligent Octopus does it better.
