Welcome to EV Quest’s ‘News Shorts’ podcast. Bringing you the latest EV news from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. EV Quest’s ‘News Shorts’ features Adrian Maidment in Tauranga, New Zealand, and Riz Akhtar from Carloop in Melbourne, Australia. In this episode: ✅ Driving the DEEPAL S07 ✅ Model Y orders in China ✅ Commenting on Elon ✅ Bye Bye Mazda 6, maybe hello Mazda 6e Connect with Riz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riz-akhtar/...
Jan 26, 2025•16 min•Ep. 175
Welcome to EV Quest’s ‘News Shorts’ podcast. Bringing you the latest EV news from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. In this episode: ✅ Tesla Model Y update ✅ BYD sale on now ✅ Luxury MG ✅ Chinese EVs update EV Quest’s ‘News Shorts’ features Adrian Maidment in Tauranga, New Zealand, and Riz Akhtar from Carloop in Melbourne, Australia. Connect with Riz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riz-akhtar/
Jan 19, 2025•15 min•Ep. 174
Welcome to EV Quest’s ‘News Shorts’ Bringing you the latest EV news from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. In this episode: The new Tesla Model Y release A cut-price BYD enters Australia Tennis, anyone? In an EV? The year of Chinese EVs? EV Quest’s ‘News Shorts’ features Adrian Maidment in Tauranga, New Zealand, and Riz Akhtar from Carloop in Melbourne, Australia. Connect with Riz on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/riz-akhtar/...
Jan 12, 2025•18 min•Ep. 173
This week, Adrian Maidment and Riz Akhtar (Carloop) discuss the end-of-year sales data from BYD and Tesla. Who really is number one? Also, Riz is currently driving the new Kia EV5, so he shares his thoughts on this new Kia.
Jan 04, 2025•16 min•Ep. 172
The BYD Shark 6 is an AWD double-cab plug-in hybrid ute. Could this be the ute that changes everything in New Zealand? It's arrived, and here to challenge longterm class leaders such as the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi Triton. In this podcast I'll be checking out the Shark 6's: ✅ Exterior ✅ Interior ✅ Road handling ✅ Accessories ✅ Overall thoughts A big thanks to BYD Tauranga for the loan of the BYD Shark 6👇 Link: https://www.ebbett.co.nz/model/byd-shark-6...
Jan 01, 2025•15 min•Ep. 171
Welcome to the EV Quest ‘EV of the Year’ podcast! Adrian Maidment and Riz Akhtar from Carloop choose their EVs of the year. Categories include Best Value EV of the Year, Luxury EV of the Year, Hybrid of the Year, ‘Wow’ Moment of the Year, "Oh No" Moment of the Year and the prestigious “What’s Riz Been Driving?” EV of the Year! The podcast is available on all leading platforms.
Dec 22, 2024•34 min•Ep. 170
In this episode of EV Quest's podcast, Adrian Maidment discusses the secondhand electric vehicle (EV) market in Australia and New Zealand with guests Hayden Johnston and Nareev Bhatt. They explore current trends, consumer education, pricing, warranties, and the future of the EV market. Links: GVI: https://www.gvielectric.kiwi/ Electrifying Everything: https://www.youtube.com/@NeeravBhatt...
Dec 09, 2024•33 min•Ep. 169
A quick update of EV News by Adrian Maidment and Riz Akhtar (Carloop) AA DRIVEN NZ Car of the Year: https://www.drivencarguide.co.nz/news/the-byd-sealion-6-is-the-best-new-vehicle-of-the-year-aa-driven-nz-car-of-the-year-overall-winner/ EV QUEST Sealion 6 review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AqunTOP0Nk
Nov 30, 2024•5 min•Ep. 168
Ev Quest’s Adrian Maidment talks with Riz Akhtar from Carloop in Australia about EV news making the news. This episode: Jaguar makes a huge impression with their rebrand. We look at some EV options for car of the year, and Geely’s upcoming electric SUV, the EX5, has now received approval to be sold in Australia. Geely EX5: https://thedriven.io/2024/11/22/geelys-upcoming-ex5-suv-gets-approval-for-sale-in-australia/ Check out EV Quest videos here: https://www.youtube.com/@EVQuest...
Nov 23, 2024•14 min•Ep. 167
I'm testing out a hybrid for this review, not a full EV. It's a small SUV hybrid, the Haval Jolion Ultra Hybrid. The first thing you'll notice is the price, with the base model starting at $34,990, the Lux Hybrid at $37,990, and the Ultra Hybrid I’m driving today from $40,990 plus on-road costs. Other SUVs to consider in this category include the Toyota Corolla Cross Hybrid and the Hyundai Kona Hybrid. Note that there’s no built-in Sat Nav, so you'll need to use Android Auto or Apple CarPlay for...
Nov 17, 2024•16 min•Ep. 166
In this episode, we provide the latest news on Chinese EV brands entering Australia and New Zealand. Chinese EV brand specialist Riz Akhtar from Carloop shares his news, experiences, and insights on Chinese brands, including Zeekr, Deepal, Xpeng, BYD, and Geely. Riz also discusses his recent trip to China to explore Geely’s operations and his appearance in an Electric Viking video. Links: Carloop: https://carloop.com.au/ Electric Viking video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLrBI8_0nYg Nissan A...
Nov 16, 2024•17 min•Ep. 165
In this EV Quest episode, Adrian Maidment interviews Clayton Morgan, who shares his adventurous family road trip across the USA (from New Zealand) in a rented Tesla Model Y. From exploring the desert to navigating high-speed freeways and unexpected charging spots, Clayton dives into the ups and downs of traveling with a Tesla. He also reveals the challenges of adapting to American roads, managing a full EV itinerary, and the quirks of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving in real-world conditions. Whether y...
Nov 07, 2024•18 min•Ep. 164
Welcome to EV Quest's News Shorts, October 27. We look at the growth in new EVs coming to Australia. Are these brands and models also coming to NZ? A new release from Zeekr. Tesla model news. Link Riz from Carloop - https://carloop.com.au/ For EV Quest videos - https://www.youtube.com/@EVQuest
Oct 27, 2024•15 min•Ep. 163
Adrian Maidment speaks with Camilla Cochran, Funds Delivery Manager at the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). Camilla discusses New Zealand's ambitious transition to sustainable transport, highlighting EECA's new $28 million Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund, which offers up to 25% off the cost of electric and hybrid trucks. She explains how heavy vehicles, while making up only 5% of New Zealand's vehicle fleet, generate nearly a quarter of road transport emissions. Also covered...
Oct 23, 2024•20 min•Ep. 162
We explore the official pricing and specs of the BYD Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid ute that’s making waves in New Zealand and soon in Australia. We also discuss the sporty MG Cyberster. BYD's Sealion 7 is on the way. And what new EVs in Australia are coming to New Zealand? Also - Adrian is on Cadillac Lyriq watch. And what's new with Tesla charging?
Oct 19, 2024•19 min•Ep. 161
Adrian and Riz discuss the launch of the new Tesla robotaxi, the 'Cybercab'. Also featured at the launch, Tesla’s humanoid Optimus robot and Robovan.
Oct 12, 2024•9 min•Ep. 160
In this episode: Mg price cuts, new brands on the way, Sales data, and what has Riz been driving? I’m Adrian Maidment in Tauranga New Zealand, and in Melbourne Australia - Riz Akhtar from Carloop. Mentioned: MG prices: https://mgmotor.co.nz/offers/?make=MG4 Leapmotor: https://www.leapmotor.com/au. https://www.leapmotor.com/nz Sales Data: https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/350440543/new-car-market-showing-signs-potential-recovery https://evdb.nz/most-popular-evs-nz...
Oct 05, 2024•15 min•Ep. 159
G’day and welcome to EV Quest’s News Shorts. Bringing you EV news from Australia, New Zealand, and the rest of the world. In this episode: Driving the Smart #1 and #3, EV sales news, Volvo moves 2030 back, EV Rumours, and What’s Riz been driving - and can he say? Mentioned: Sales news: https://evdb.nz/ev-stats Carloop: https://carloop.com.au/ Polestar 4 test drive: https://youtu.be/F4nDMj-UhCk
Sep 07, 2024•17 min•Ep. 158
In this episode of EV Quest, I take the Polestar 4 for a test drive in rainy Auckland, experiencing the long-range single motor version of this electric SUV coupe. I also check out the dual-motor version at the Polestar Auckland dealership. ⚡️ The Polestar 4 features a well designed infotainment system, spacious interior, and advanced features like the digital rearview mirror and heads-up display. Polestar 4 Long Range Dual Motor (AWD) - priced from $129,990 Polestar 4 Long Range Single Motor (R...
Sep 06, 2024•12 min•Ep. 157
This episode we're looking at the Polestar 4, all the new Smart #'s, and Tesla.
Aug 31, 2024•11 min•Ep. 156
In this episode we are looking at the fast changing nature of the car industry with players leaving markets, while new brands are entering countries. New Zealand has a new cheapest Ev, and what are the chances of success for the new Mazda EV? Stories mentioned: Fiat: https://www.fiat.co.nz/ Mazda EZ-6: https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/350379191/could-be-mazdas-next-nz-bound-ev
Aug 17, 2024•13 min•Ep. 155
Step into the world of ultimate luxury with the Rolls-Royce Spectre, the brand's first fully electric vehicle. The Spectre is dripping in style, offering insane comfort inside. But you should expect a lot with a starting price of $750,000 (NZD).
Aug 16, 2024•9 min•Ep. 154
G’day and welcome to EV Quest’s News Shorts, bringing you EV news from Australia, New Zealand, and around the world. In this episode: Deals, Deals, Deals! Air NZ U-turn Australian EV events Adrian checks out the Rolls-Royce Spectre ⚡️With Adrian Maidment and Riz Akhtar from Carloop 🎙️ LINKS: Leaf pricing: https://www.nissan.co.nz/vehicles/browse-range/leaf/specs-and-pricing.html Air NZ emissions: https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jul/30/air-new-zealand-is-first-major-airline-to-...
Aug 10, 2024•17 min•Ep. 153
Today, we're diving into the 2018 Toyota Prius Hybrid, with an owner review from Sidhu. This hybrid vehicle is both loved and hated by many, but it has many featires that impress. Sidhu, who uses this Prius as a taxi and for personal use, gives us an in-depth owner review. 🔍 Key Highlights: 🚗 Model: 2018 Toyota Prius Hybrid ⛽ Fuel Efficiency: Amazing mileage, perfect for city driving with automatic battery recharging. 🧳 Boot Space: Spacious and practical, ideal for taxi use. Links: 🚖 Book a ...
Aug 06, 2024•10 min•Ep. 152
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the world of EV charging. Our guest, Mark Lampard from goEV, is a top expert in EV technology. We’ll chat about charging in Australia, especially for electric trucks, and hear about Mark’s recent EV experiences from his trip to China. We’ll also talk about goEV and the cost of insuring a Tesla. Links: goEV: https://go-ev.com.au/
Aug 03, 2024•25 min•Ep. 151
Hi - this is Adrian Maidment. This episode I'm sharing an episode of the new podcast - 'EV Loop'. I'm actually on it, with the podcast hosted by Riz Akhtar, who is the weekend guest on the EV Quest podcast. 🎙️ So, have a listen and see what you think. Topics covered include: Zeekr’s exciting website launch and new models for the Australian market. Rumors about Geely entering the Australian and New Zealand markets. Carloop's EV Charging Summit in Melbourne on August 7th, featuring industry exper...
Jul 31, 2024•14 min•Ep. 150
Stephanie Smits O'Callaghan is the co-founder of Hamilton-based EV charging company, Hikotron. She was recently in the UK and attended the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the EV SUMMIT at the Saïd Business School in Oxford. Stephanie shares her thoughts on the two events, plus the state of EV charging in New Zealand compared to the UK. She also talks about what Hikotron has been up to recently and being featured in the M2woman winter 2024 issue. LINKS M2: https://www.m2woman.com/power-moves-steph...
Jul 30, 2024•20 min•Ep. 149
This is EV Quest's News Shorts Weekend Edition, bringing you thelatest EV news from New Zealand, Australia and around the world. I'm Adrian Maidment in Tauranga, New Zealand and in Melbourne, Australia it's Riz Ahktar from Carloop. This Episode: In this episode: Kia EV 5 delayed… Longer lasting battery from China, and another new BYD spotted on the streets of Australia. LINKS Battery: https://insideevs.com/news/726654/catl-long-servicelife-battery-16years-2million-kilometers/#:...
Jul 20, 2024•12 min•Ep. 148
Lucid Air…Ford F15 Lightning…Rivian R1T, today I’m speaking to someone who has driven them all. My guest is Chris Quin from Melbourne Australia. Chris is an EV owner who is passionate about the EV industry. I’m Adrian Maidment, and this is the EV Quest Podcast. Hello Chris.
Jul 17, 2024•17 min•Ep. 147
This is EV Quest's News Shorts Weekend Edition, bringing you thelatest EV news from New Zealand, Australia and around the world. I'm Adrian Maidment in Tauranga, New Zealand and in Melbourne, Australia it's Riz Ahktar from Carloop. This Episode: Less clean Emission Standards in NZ. New EV models. New Tesla? Kia passes Hyundai. Links: Emissions in NZ : https://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/350336656/clean-car-emission-penalties-utes-slashed-confirms-national Kia passes Hyundai: https://electrek.co/202...
Jul 13, 2024•17 min•Ep. 146
