As the country begins its clean-up, electric cars have been used to provide essential power to families in need.
New Zealand is currently experiencing a major emergency, with flooding, landslides, and a death toll currently at nine at the time of writing and expected to rise, Stuff.co.nz reports.
While emergency services are continuing with their search and rescue efforts across the country, power has been temporarily restored thanks to the vehicle-to-load (V2L) capabilities of some electric cars.
BYD initially provided two Atto 3 electric SUVs before sourcing a third, and Hyundai supplied an Ioniq 5 – all to help restore power to households with no electricity.
The vehicles were organised by local energy company Ecotricity, with employee and YouTube presenter Gavin Shoebridge personally delivering a BYD Atto 3 to a family of five – and encountering two mountain roads that had been destroyed while on the way there.
The household was without power and running water for three days, but with an adaptor plugged into the car’s charging port, the family was able to run their fridge/freezer and the pump for their water tank.
« They were really elated and it was the first time we’d ever tried this method, but we’ll definitely use it again, » Mr Shoebridge told Drive.
« It’s really effortless. You just rock on up, plug the adaptor into the side of the car, and you’ve got a week of electricity! I just wish every electric car had this option, » he added.
« There are still some people in the east of the North Island without water or power so I’m waiting to hear if we need to deploy more [electric vehicles]. »
BYD owners also took to Facebook to share their experiences, with one woman receiving her V2L adaptor just one day before the storm hit.
« We have had no power for two days, three nights. The V2L system has been running our fridge, deep [freezer], lights, charging appliances, internet wifi and the odd appliance like toaster and coffee machine, » she wrote in a Facebook post.
« Car was charged to 100 per cent and now sits at 90 per cent. So at this rate we will be okay for [a maximum of] 20 days on the basics. »
It’s been reported that owners of Nissan Leaf electric hatchbacks – which don’t come with V2L – have instead hooked up a commonly-available power inverter to the car’s 12-volt battery to supply electricity for household appliances.
Despite also lacking Z2L capabilities, MG made a ZS EV available to Ecotricity to help transport stranded residents to safety.
Those wishing to offer financial support can contribute to the Red Cross New Zealand Disaster Fund by clicking here.
