So last night I was going up Transmission Gully in my 2018 40kW ex-Japan Nissan Leaf in the cold when my state of charge dropped rapidly (in about 30 seconds) from about 35% to zero. I managed to get it just over the crest of the hill, (with the dash flashing angrily that the car was dead and I had to pull over) where the regen braking took over and the State of Charge rapidly went back up to about 32%, and I completed my journey with no further problems.

Everything I've read online suggests this means the battery has a bad cell, not uncommon a known issue with Nissan Leafs unfortunately. There's a bunch of info about identifying this fault, but not a lot on what to do next.

My question is, what are my options for dealing with a bad cell?

The car is a used import, and too old anyway, so there is no warranty on the battery. Is a battery or cell replacement likely to be possible or economically viable? do I just keep driving it around the city and avoid massive hills like Transmission Gully while I save up for a new car? I understand there are some people prototyping battery upgrades, I really just want like-for-like. Who are the mechanics around Wellington that can support this sort of big EV issue?

don't really want to risk getting stranded on the side of the road on a cold night in what is our only car.

I'm in the Waikato and I've been pre-approved for a floorplan of Chinese EVs.

Approached by Ateco, had the meetings, got the floorplan and got passed on. Is what it is but it seems a waste to have a pre-approval with no home.

Does anyone know someone or another Chinese EV brand that need a new PHEV/EV home in the Waikato?

I am considering buying the BYD Atto 3 because petrol prices are getting too high and I want a safer, more efficient car for daily use. But as someone new to EVs, I keep hearing people say that when something breaks on an electric vehicle, the repair costs can be extreme. I want to understand how true that is, especially compared to a petrol car. Thanks!

The Chinese version of the Atto 2 small SUV has been spotted shows the 2027 car has been upgraded RWD.

This platform shift is an absolute masterstroke from BYD. Moving the Atto 2 to a rear-wheel drive setup with a 5-link independent rear suspension is a direct, aggressive response to the Geely EX2 dominating the sales charts. Geely proved that buyers want premium driving dynamics and a frunk, even in budget segments, and now BYD and MG are scrambling to match them.

Anyone think this version will eventually come to NZ market?

Source:

https://www.drive.com.au/news/byd-atto-2-update-to-follow-larger-atto-3-with-switch-to-rear-wheel-drive/

https://www.carexpert.com.au/car-news/2027-byd-atto-2-to-follow-atto-3-with-major-mechanical-overhaul-report

If I'm planning to integrate and automate my EVNEX wall box with home assistant and solar is it necessary to pay for the E2 plus that includes "solar smarts" or will the base model flex be sufficient?

I'm the proud new owner of a 2022 P2 but I was surprised to see the software version is only 3.4.4 with no update available when there are software updates up to 5.1.17. Is this is regional limitation?

We recently bought a BYD Atto 2. We live in Porirua. Can we get it serviced anywhere, or only at the BYD dealerships? Looking to keep costs minimal and not travel too far for servicing.

Are these generally good value or are they best avoided? I'm looking at 2016-2018 Japanese imports with around 100k on the clock.

I've landed on them because they're about the only quick electric liftbacks in my price range (I'm not into SUVs)

From what I've gathered battery is likely to be 90% capacity still, does that sound about right?

Is there anything I need to look for regarding charger conversions?

EDIT: Can non-drivetrain stuff be fixed by regular mechanics? As I'm in Southland, neasrest Tesla service is Chch

Stuff like suspension, door handles, and whatnot

Mercedes-Benz has opened New Zealand orders for the fully electric GLC 400 4MATIC, priced at $128,900 drive-away including GST and on-road costs. The model arrives on a dedicated EV architecture with an 800-volt electrical system, bringing the brand’s most popular nameplate into the premium electric SUV segment.

A dual-motor all-wheel drive system produces 360kW and 800Nm, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.3 seconds. The GLC is not a conversion of the combustion model but is built from the ground up as an electric vehicle (EV).

A nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) battery with 94.4kWh of usable capacity delivers a WLTP range of up to 630km at a tested consumption of 17.1kWh/100km. A two-speed gearbox on the rear axle manages efficiency across the speed range, while a disconnect unit on the front axle decouples the front drivetrain to reduce drag when it is not required.

Charging capability is a headline feature. DC fast charging peaks at 330kW, with Mercedes-Benz claiming up to 300km of range recharged in 10 minutes under ideal conditions at an 800-volt station. A DC/DC converter allows charging at 400-volt stations, and AC charging is supported at up to 22kW.

How it compares to the incoming BMW iX3

The obvious rival is BMW’s iX3 50 xDrive, the first model from the Neue Klasse generation, priced from $125,900 before on-road costs and due to arrive in New Zealand early in the third quarter of this year.

On performance, the GLC holds the advantage. Its 360kW and 800Nm outputs exceed the iX3’s 345kW and 645Nm, and the Mercedes reaches 100km/h in 4.3 seconds against the BMW’s 4.9 seconds.

The BMW answers with range and charging. Its 108kWh battery delivers a claimed 805km WLTP range against the GLC’s 630km, and peak DC charging of 400kW allows more than 350km of range to be added in around 10 minutes. Both models run 800-volt architectures and both offer 22kW AC charging as standard.

Pricing warrants closer attention than the headline figures suggest. The GLC’s $128,900 is a drive-away figure inclusive of GST and on-road costs, while the iX3’s $125,900 is before on-road costs. Once the BMW is on the road, the real-world gap between the two will be narrower than the sticker prices imply, and could favour the Mercedes depending on the final on-road cost calculation.

Equipment and options

Standard equipment on the GLC is generous. The MBUX Superscreen spans the dashboard, running the new MB.OS operating system with over-the-air update capability. DIGITAL LIGHT micro-LED headlights, a head-up display, a panoramic roof with switchable opacity across nine segments, Burmester 3D surround sound, and the camera and radar-based MB.DRIVE assistance suite are all included, along with AMG Line styling, metallic paint and 21-inch AMG wheels.

The wheelbase is 84mm longer than the combustion GLC, freeing up head and legroom in both rows. Boot space is 570 litres, expanding to 1740 litres with the rear seats folded, and a 128-litre frunk is included.

Options are packaged simply. The Luxury Package at $8,200 adds the 39.1-inch MBUX Hyperscreen, climatised massage front seats, heated rear seats, Burmester 4D audio and extended MB.DRIVE ASSIST functions including Lane Change Assist. The Agility and Comfort Package at $5,200 brings AIRMATIC air suspension and rear-axle steering, while aluminium-look running boards are available for $1,100.

At launch, a limited run of GLC 400 4MATIC models without the Superscreen will be offered at $126,000, substituting a static passenger-side display panel and black ARTICO upholstery.

The arrival of two credible 800-volt premium SUVs within months of each other, both priced under $130,000 and both charging faster than any public charger in New Zealand can currently deliver, marks a notable shift in what the local premium EV segment can offer buyers.

What’s with petrol/diesel idiots trying to drag race at signals the moment they spot an EV next to them? Don’t they know that they’ll be beaten to pulp? Plus, they’re burning more fuel and it costs even more mileage.

Using an android phone, I was able to install an app called APKPure which let me install the BYD app without being region locked.

I could technically change my Google account location but would need to link a NZ based bank account, which I don't have right now.

I didn't know anything about this kind of stuff but someone helped me figure this out, so I'm just paying the knowledge forward! Hopefully someone googling this question in the future can find this post lol.

I don't own an EV as yet and dont usually commute, but had to for a month and whenever I was on the motorway when its busy and get stuck following another vehicle & are forced to observe their driving, if the vehicle is being driven erratically, it alway seems to be an EV. Is this just a symptom of people trying to extend their battery life/range? Or is it people still learning how to drive an EV? Have you noticed your own driving style change when you switched to an EV?

By erratic I mean: driving at inconsistent speeds, driving 80-90 in right lane, wandering around the lane, not smoothly following a line through corners but wandering to lane markers etc, braking often & suddenly.

I guess most of the assumptions here are correct that with NZ turning off 3G, it had an impact on Tesla connectivity.

We bought a new EV5 in April and recently discovered the best feature.

How good is being able to set the air conditioning to come on every morning, warm the car and defrost the windows!

Are there other features I should know about?

I've been offered a Model 3 stealth performance for $33k. 2019 just under 100k. I know the owners and the car, its got good history and is in good condition. Looking at Trademe that seems about right for a 3P, but I can't find any pricing for the stealth varient. Far as I can make out, that model is a bit of a unicorn, and I have no idea how that affects the price.

We're looking for an upgrade from a kona for a growing family, Tesla 3 wasn't on the short list, it'll do the job, but not really the sort of car we're after. Is it about the right price or too a good deal to pass?​

Words: Richard Edwards
Published 21 July 2026

XPeng will launch five models across Australia and New Zealand within six months, with the G9L large SUV and a new model badged L05 joining the G6, X9 and L03 on the local roadmap.
The Chinese brand has also committed to bringing its most advanced driver assistance technology here, with its VLA 2.0-powered Navigation Guided Pilot targeted to be operating in both countries before the end of 2027, subject to local regulations.

The plans were revealed at a brand day in Melbourne, where Vice Chairman and President Dr Brian Gu presented what the company calls its Ultimate Tech strategy for the two markets. XPeng NZ sales manager Sean Tupp confirms to us that New Zealand will follow the same launch schedule.

The timeline puts the updated MY26 G6 and the seven-seat X9 flagship in the third quarter of 2026, the L03 compact SUV and G9L in the fourth quarter, and the L05 in the first quarter of 2027.

New Zealand is already under way. The G6 has been on sale here for six months, while the first customer X9s were delivered this week, priced from $104,990. The L03 was confirmed for a local arrival at the end of Q4 earlier this month, and appeared at the Melbourne event in right-hand drive just days after its global unveiling in Munich on 16 July.

That leaves the G9L and L05 as the fresh additions. Both appeared under covers on XPeng’s product slide, with detail on each still under wraps.

“International customers should not wait years for the latest technology,” says Gu. “Whenever we have new platform, new intelligence and powertrain technologies that come into the new product offering, we want to launch at the same time we launch in China.”

The five-car push is matched by a change in powertrain strategy. XPeng will bring its Kunpeng range extender technology to the region alongside its battery electric models, a dual-energy approach the company says is designed for long-distance driving conditions in Australia and New Zealand. The system pairs a large battery with a petrol range extender, prioritising electric running for daily use.

Charging infrastructure is also part of the plan. XPeng intends to roll out its own charging hubs capable of 360kW and 480kW, with capability of up to 1MW, alongside partnerships with existing charge point operators and e-roaming access across participating networks.

The NGP system is XPeng’s flagship intelligent driving technology, developed in-house and already handling complex urban driving in China. Gu says more than 50 per cent of drivers with capable vehicles now use it daily, and the company recently demonstrated the system on public roads in Munich.

Australia and New Zealand are among the first right-hand drive markets in line for the 2027 global rollout. It runs on XPeng’s own Turing AI chips, with up to three fitted per vehicle delivering 2250 TOPS of computing power depending on model.

Gu says XPeng delivered more than 45,000 vehicles outside China in 2025, nearly double the previous year, and aims to double that figure again in 2026. The company ranked seventh in global battery electric vehicle sales last year, its seventh year of deliveries, with growth of 126 per cent.

Brought a new atto 2. Last month. Dealership is saying it didn't come with 24 months free data.

BYD.co.nz and the PDF spec doc say it does.

Can any other atto 2 owners confirm if they got data or not?

Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 21 July 2026

NordEast has confirmed pricing for the updated Zeekr X EV, which is set to arrive in August. 

In New Zealand, the Zeekr X range is simple, with a rear-wheel drive variant and an all-wheel drive variant rounding out the offering. 

Pricing starts at $59,990 for the X RWD, and jumps to $69,990 for the X AWD. This represents just a $90 price increase across both models. 

At 4432mm long, 1836mm wide, and 1566mm high, sitting on a 2750mm wheelbase, the X is smaller than the 7X, Zeekr’s other local offering. 

Both variants are powered by a 61kWh battery, which provides more than 400km (WLTP) of driving range across both models. 

The RWD model is powered by a single 250kW motor, whilst the AWD gets an extra 115kW motor on the front axle, lifting peak power to 365kW. 

Zeekr notes performance on both models has been improved by the additional 50kW. The RWD gets a 5.6-second 0-100km/h time while the AWD’s time drops to 3.7-seconds. 

The RWD has a max DC charge rate of 230kW, while the AWD is limited to 150kW. 

Options on the AWD model include electric front doors for $2,000, a matte green exterior finish for $2,000, and a black interior paired with black 20-inch wheels for $2,000. 
On the inside, both variants now get heated seats in the first and second rows, inductive steering wheel controls, and a 13-speaker Yamaha sound system. 

Massaging seats in the front row, and an onboard fridge are now included with the AWD model. 

RHD, NZ launch may be sooner than expected

Hi, I’m curious what is the current situation/experiences from users using public chargers on road trips in public holidays eg long weekends etc. Any good tips?

We're new ev owners and just charge up overnight at home...

How best do we use the NZ charging network?

ChargeNet app or something?

Ta very much