Thames EV Share Scheme Trial
Electric vehicles are one effective way of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport. Despite Government incentives now available in New Zealand, for many, the purchase price of a long-range EV is prohibitive.
In 2022, Hauraki Resilient Communities Trust purchased an EV (a BYD ATTO 3) with a range of approximately 400 km to trial a community car share scheme in Thames. The car-share scheme enables members to actively reduce their transport emissions, particularly for long-range travel.
A first of its kind for Thames, the trial began in September 2022 and is reviewed annually.
The trial has limited membership. To register your interest get in touch with John Leenman.
Phone 021 301 318
About the Trial
Members must be 25 years of age and hold a fully endorsed NZ driver’s license and have signed a membership agreement with the HRCT.
An one-off membership fee at signup covers costs associated with vehicle registration, insurance, and maintenance.
Comprehensive insurance is included, and an excess applies payable by the user in the event of a claim.
A daily use charge of $65 then applies (RUC’s included), as well as a $0.25 per km charge above 300 km traveled per day.
Multi day bookings are normally limited to 7 days.
About the BYD ATTO 3
The ATTO 3 is the first compact SUV offered by BYD in New Zealand.
It has a 60 kWh battery with a range of 300 – 400 km depending on driving style and weather conditions.
The ATTO 3 earned a five-star safety rating from Euro NCAP, and local ANCAP.
Check out this New Zealand produced review on the BYD ATTO 3 from EVs & Beyond.
Driver's Walk-through
For new members and the EV curious.
Ebbett BYD in Hamilton have helpfully produced this walk-through on how to operate and control the ATTO 3.
Please watch on YouTube for links to chapters covering different aspects and features.
Our Team
Chair – John Leenman
Secretary – Chrys Alice Anderson
Treasurer – Martin Rodley
Board – Kathryn Jury, Thomas Everth, Richard Leckinger, Mark Skelding, Ross Vincent
John Leenman
My wife and I came to Thames some 7 years ago to enjoy the more measured pace of the Coromandel. My work life has included many years self-employed, running a couple of businesses plus a dozen years working in a DHB in a variety of clinical and managerial roles. I am now retired and am pleased to have the opportunity…
Chrys Alice Anderson
Born in Christchurch in 1949, attended Shirley Boys' High School and graduated from University of Canterbury with a B.E. (Electronics) in 1971. Began lifelong passions in sailing, skiing and life-on-Planet-Earth. Periods totaling over twenty years overseas focused on non-military flight control avionics work for Boeing USA, Bombardier Canada and GEC-Marconi UK (the highlight, with Safety & Reliability the key) as…
Thomas Everth
Thomas has a master's degree in Physics, a Grad Dip Teaching and is currently writing a PhD in climate change education. He had a 30-year career in the IT-Industry and has been working as a secondary school teacher in Whitianga since 2013, teaching Physics, Mathematics, Earth and Space Science and Education for Sustainability classes. Thomas is a dual New Zealand…
Ross Vincent
Hamilton was my home town and Bev & I have lived in Thames and vicinity for 42 years. I graduated from Auckland University with a BE (Civil) degree in 1969. I worked in the field of public infrastructure including positions as Chief Engineer at Thames-Coromandel DC, District Engineer at Hauraki DC, and Chief Executive of the Association of Local Government…