EV QUEST

Is the 2026 Honda Super One fun enough to make up for its limitation?

I took Honda's new small EV for a quick drive around town to find out.

The Honda Super One is based on a Japanese kei car and is designed mainly for city driving. It has a 29.61 kWh battery and a claimed WLTP range of 206 km.

I was surprised by how much room there was in the driver's seat for such a small car. It's also genuinely fun to drive, and I really liked the...

Dale is a Tauranga homeowner, not an installer. Thirteen months ago he put 16 solar panels and a home battery on his roof, and in this episode he opens up about the instal process and how it’s all looking now.

He walks through the whole thing: how he chose an installer, why he replaced his roof before anything went on it, and what the system is actually saving him. It hasn't all been smooth sailing!

If you're getting quotes on ...

A big week for EVs and clean transport, with a safety issue affecting KGM Musso EVs, an unusually honest admission from Leapmotor NZ, a new electric wagon heading our way and Tesla landing its biggest Semi order yet.

This week Adrian Maidment and Riz Akhtar discuss:

• KGM Musso EV: More than 300 vehicles are reportedly missing two airbags featured in the vehicle's marketing material.

• Leapmotor NZ: The distributor gives an unusually ...

The BYD ATTO 3 EVO has arrived, bringing faster charging, more range, improved performance and a refreshed design. But, can it still compete in an increasingly crowded EV market?

Adrian and Riz also look at Mitsubishi's new ASX VR-e, based on the Foxtron Bria. Adrian has driven the Taiwan-market version that the Mitsubishi is based on.

Plus:

• Riz visits New Zealand and gets to drive several current and upcoming Zeekr models on snow...

In this episode of the EV Quest Podcast, Adrian catches up with Riz Akhtar, founder of Carloop, to break down the latest Australian EV sales figures and what they tell us about the market.

We look at why the new Model Y L is proving so popular.

Also discussed:

•  🇦🇺 Australia's latest EV sales figures 
•  ⚡ EVs accounted for 21.7% of vehicle sales, with plug-in hybrids adding around another 10% 
•  🔌 Around 35%...

I've spent the night with the new 2026 GWM ORA 5 Ultra to find out what it's really like to live with, and whether this new electric SUV should be on your shortlist.

In this EV Quest review, I take the GWM ORA 5 Ultra out on city streets, and open roads to look at the driving experience. I'm checking out the  technology, interior space, boot space, charging and overall value for money.

I'm driving the ORA 5 Ultra, priced from $3...

EV sales continue to impress across New Zealand, who is number 1? In this episode of the EV Quest Podcast, Adrian Maidment is joined by Carloop founder Riz Akhtar to unpack the latest EV news from New Zealand, Australia and around the world.

 
⚡ IN THIS EPISODE:

• July NZ EV sales 
• Zeekr 7X climbs to #2
• Nissan Leaf used imports remain remarkably strong
• Adrian's first impressions of the new GWM ORA 5
• R...

The electric vehicle market in Australia and New Zealand is changing faster than ever.

In this episode of EV Quest, Adrian Maidment is joined by Carloop founder and EV industry analyst Riz Akhtar to explore the biggest trends reshaping the automotive industry. They discuss BYD's rapid growth, why Chinese manufacturers are dominating the EV market, whether Toyota and other legacy brands can fight back, and what falling prices mean fo...

The GAC AION V has arrived in New Zealand promising plenty of features for the money. With a 510km WLTP range, a built-in fridge/freezer, massage seats and fast charging capability, can it stand out in New Zealand's increasingly crowded midsize electric SUV market?

In this review, I take the AION V Lux for a full day of driving to find out how it performs on New Zealand roads and whether it offers enough to tempt buyers away from ri...

In this episode of the EV Quest Podcast, Adrian catches up with Rowan from Lightforce Solar at Fieldays 2026 to explore the latest developments in residential solar, battery storage, and EV charging.

Rowan takes us through the popular Sigenergy solar and battery system, explains how battery storage is becoming more affordable, discusses New Zealand's unique two-phase power setup, and shares what EV owners need to know about future v...

In this episode of EV Quest, Adrian talks with Auckland-based car reviewer Jerry Pan from Jerry Pan and Cars to uncover what really goes on behind the scenes of YouTube car reviews. Jerry shares his process of sourcing cars, filming, editing, and publishing detailed reviews. 

Jerry also discusses some of the recent  standout vehicles he has reviewed. If you have ever wondered what it takes to build a car review channel,&nb...

Thinking about buying an affordable electric car in New Zealand? In this video, I test drive and compare the BYD Atto 1 and Atto 2 to help you decide which one is right for you.

From pricing and range to real-world driving feel, I break down the key differences between these two EVs — including which one I’d personally choose.

If you're considering your first EV or upgrading to something more practical, this is a must-wat...

Thinking about going electric with solar, EVs, or home batteries?
In this episode of EV Quest, Adrian Maidment talks with Neerav Bhatt ('Electrifying Everything') — who’s done it all.

From sealing his home to running a fully electric, solar-powered lifestyle, Neerav shares what actually works, and what  people often get wrong.

If you’re considering:
Solar panels
Electric vehicles
Home batteries
R...

Fuel prices are rising, and so is interest in electric vehicles. In this episode of EV Quest, Adrian Maidment talks with Hayden Johnson, General Manager of EV specialist dealership GVI, to unpack what’s really happening in New Zealand’s EV market.

Are EVs actually selling out? Is this surge driven purely by petrol prices, or are we seeing a genuine tipping point in consumer behaviour?

They cover:

•  Why EV demand ha...

In this episode of the EV Quest Podcast, Adrian Maidment is joined by Riz Akhtar from Carloop to break down the latest EV registration data from March. 

We explore:

•  The top-selling EVs in New Zealand right now 
•  New models entering the market, including the electric Toyota Hilux 
•  Current EV deals and trends in Australia 

Plus, Riz shares insights from recent test drives and previews upcoming...

I’m in Taiwan to take a closer look at the Foxtron Bria, a subcompact electric SUV crossover that could potentially make its way to New Zealand and Australia under a different badge.

There’s strong speculation this vehicle could appear in our market as a Mitsubishi EV. If that happens, it could become a serious new competitor in the growing small-to-medium electric SUV segment.

A big thanks to the team at Foxtron in Taich...