Ecotricity NZ

☀️ The Global Solar Surge is Here! Solar energy is rewriting the rules of the energy game, with installations skyrocketing worldwide. From record-breaking growth to reshaping how we think about renewables, solar is leading the charge toward a cleaner, greener future. 🌿 In our latest blog, we explore what’s fueling this solar revolution and what it means for New Zealand—and the planet. Plus, find out how recent rains have boosted NZ’s hydro storage, slashed electricity prices, and cut emissions. 🔗 Read all about it: https://hubs.la/Q02-GdBH0 #RenewableEnergy #SolarPower #Sustainability #ClimateAction (Pictured here is our team at the new Oakridge Solar Farm)

The Leapmotor C10 is the latest new electric car offering from China to the New Zealand market and as Gav quickly discovered, it offers frighteningly good value for money in terms of features, safety, and quality of ride. 🚘⚡ But the crossover segment is now full of all-electric offerings at the moment, so does this vehicle have what it takes to beat the competition? Find the answer in this week's video: https://lnkd.in/gQeNhJFV

This week, Ecotricity was proud to host the Drive Electric New Zealand EOY Christmas event! 🎄⚡🚘 Over 100 people, including many of our own sustainable partners, came together to celebrate the year's successes towards a green, electrified future in Aotearoa New Zealand. Along with fantastic plant-based catering from The Sustainable Food Co and a Tesla cake, our DJ Karan Bhatia from Smartrak was powered all night solely by a Hyundai Ioniq 5! 🎶🪩 The event was a blast with our very own Gavin Shoebridge sharing his EV highlights in a fireside Q&A with Drive Electric CEO Brian Dewil. Keep an eye out for a video coming soon to hear his honest and entertaining thoughts! 👀 Gavin Shoebridge Josephine Rudkin-Binks Al Yates Mark Yates Andrew Roddy Marsha Boustred Andrew Roddy Natasha Bessex Adam Cherrett Andee Raven

☀️ Last week, our team got to visit the awesome Oakridge Solar Farm led by Kiwi Solar, Trilect and Andrew Beckett. The farm has a 4MWp capacity with panels that will be able to produce power for around 40 years and then get safely recycled. ☀️ Under the sunshine, the team learnt that: • Solar farms can be built in the rain unlike rooftop solar • Sheep are valued solar farm workers as they help cut the lawns while they relax in the shade provided by the panels 🐑 • The farm has been strategically located to remain out of passersby’s view and to prevent any light being reflected onto neighbouring properties We’re proud to power amazing projects like this. The future is looking renewable and bright! 💚⚡ Josephine Rudkin-Binks Marsha Boustred Kiera Chamley Natasha Bessex Luis Porto Mark Yates

2024 Sustainable Business Awards💚 Last week, Ecotricity attended the Sustainable Business Awards, led by our friends at the Sustainable Business Network, which celebrated the most forward-thinking and transformative leaders in sustainable business. We are proud to sponsor an event that recognizes amazing companies and individuals driving change across the country.⚡ Massive congratulations to the award winners, commendations and the Next95 finalists. Together, we're confident that we can keep advancing towards a bright, sustainable future! 👏☀️ Josephine Rudkin-Binks Marsha Boustred Natasha Bessex Luis Porto Mark Yates

Electric Cherries: this big orchard just ditched diesel! 🍒 ⚡ Check out Gav's tour of this fully electric cherry orchard HERE: https://lnkd.in/gSwMM45b This orchard in the South Island of New Zealand might look like a typical, large-scale cherry grower but the owners did something other orchard operators can only dream of: they decided to just stop buying fuel. 👀 Located in Cromwell, Electric Cherries runs entirely on solar power & batteries with much of the hard work being done by their 100% electric tractor (which can drive itself!), plus a battery powered forklift, two electric cars, an electric mower, two electric golf carts – you name it. Best of all, they make so much extra "fuel" from the sun, they sell it back into the grid each day! ☀️🔋🚜 It sounds like science fiction, but it's all done with existing technology, much of which is available 'off-the-shelf'. It's also something a growing number of farmers and orchard managers are looking into with petrol and diesel being among the largest ongoing costs for any grower, combined with the fact that solar is now the cheapest way to generate electricity. It makes going 100% fossil fuel-free a very viable, very real solution and one we're starting to see grow very quickly. For a closer look at Electric Cherries, check out their website: https://lnkd.in/gwvyzsgx

Absolutely thrilled to hear Ecotricity NZ initial thoughts on the Monarch MK-V tractor alongside Euan from @electriccherriesnz , especially while experiencing the magic of Row Follow! Imagine the ease of hands-free driving, turning tractor operations into a breeze. With Row Follow expertly keeping the tractor perfectly centered in the row, you can concentrate on managing the implement or even dive into a full-blown interview! Check it out here: https://hubs.li/Q02ZBvSb0

An Electric DRIVERLESS Tractor in New Zealand! 🚜🌱 This Monarch tractor is not only 100% battery powered, but it's smart enough to literally drive itself around the farm. Built by the American manufacturer Monarch, this driver-optional slice of futuristic farming equipment is being put to work at Forest Lodge Orchard, a cherry growing operation in the South Island of New Zealand which is now 100% fossil fuel-free! 🍒⚡ It's a glimpse of what's possible and what's coming for farming, not only slashing operating costs & carbon emissions, but also allowing skilled farm labour to ditch monotonous tasks such as mowing grass or spraying fertiliser, and instead concentrate on more skilled, productive areas of growing crops. Cleaner and more efficient farming is coming sooner than many are expecting. #electricvehicles #greenenergy #renewables #solarpower

We're proud to partner with Lightyears Solar on our shared mission to building a climate positive Aotearoa New Zealand. As market leaders in supporting solar energy, the Ashburton Solar farm is a step closer to a future powered by clean, green energy! 💚⚡️

ELECTRIC POLICE CAR RIDE-ALONG IN NZ 🚓🚨💚 New Zealand Police are trialing a batch of EVs to see how they fare in the real world with the feedback from front line police officers being largely positive. But what are they really like in action? And how far does a police officer typically drive in a shift? To find answers to these questions (and a whole heap more) Gav arranged a ride-along in an all-electric BMW i4 Highway Patrol car. CHECK OUT this behind-the-scenes look at a very unusual electric vehicle in action here: https://hubs.la/Q02YjqkH0. ⚡