EV QUEST

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 has suddenly accelerated 
•  The reality behind “no stock” headlines 
•  What first-time EV buyers need to know 
•  The truth about battery lifespan myths 
•  Examples of  which vehicles offer the best value right now 

If you’re thinking about switching to an EV or just trying to make sense of the hype, this episode gives you real, on-the-ground insight from someone in the  the know.

LInk: GVI - https://www.gvi.kiwi/

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 events like the Melbourne Motor Show and Beijing Auto Show.

Carloop: https://carloop.com.au/
EVDB: https://evdb.nz/

EV Market: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/ev-boom-accelerates-with-second-week-of-record-sales/premium/KECLWAZJHRBEBOVY2ATN5DVB2I/

EVDB: https://evdb.nz/

In this episode of the EV Quest Podcast, Adrian Maidment and Riz Akhtar (Carloop) dive into the latest EV news from New Zealand, Australia, and beyond. Riz shares his news of the Chinese EV market, including BYD's new fast charging. Plus - new large Tesla.

Carloop - https://carloop.com.au/

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 Taichung, Taiwan for letting me film and drive the Bria.

In this episode of the EV Quest podcast, host Adrian Maidment sits down with Monica Chiu, from MSI, to talk about the EZgo Portable EV Charger launch into the Australian market.

Find out more about EZgo: https://au.msi.com/Landing/ezgo

The episode covers:

• Who MSI is and why the company entered the EV charging space
• What the EZgo Portable Charger is and how it works
• How it differs from fixed home chargers
• Vehicle compatibility and real-world use cases
• Built-in safety features and charging best practices
• What’s happening in the wider EV charging market
• Where to buy the EZgo charger and what support MSI provides

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 Adrian Maidment is joined by Riz Akhtar from Carloop, talking EVs.

Data link: https://evdb.nz/sales

The EV Quest Podcast Christmas Edition is here and we are wrapping up 2025 in style. 

In this end of year special, Adrian Maidment is joined by Riz Akhtar from Carloop for the awards ceremony

We look back at the key trends that defined 2025 including an explosion of new models, falling prices, the rise of plug in hybrids. We then move into the main event, the highly prestigious EV Quest EV of the Year Awards.

Categories include: ⭐️

• Biggest Buzz of the Year
• Best Value EV of the Year
• Large Electric SUV of the Year
• Best EV Not Available in NZ or Australia
• Hybrid / PHEV of the Year
• Industry Player of the Year
• What’s Riz Been Driving – EV of the Year (Overall Winner)

A special thanks to everyone who has supported the channel in 2025.

Everyone likes a little luxury,  and MG’s parent company SAIC is aiming high with the IM6, their new premium electric SUV for New Zealand.
In this EV Quest review, Adrian Maidment takes the IM6 for a real-world drive to see whether this tech-packed Chinese EV truly delivers.  
This review is based on the IM6 Platinum, the mid-spec model with a 100kWh battery and 800V architecture.
farmer mg

Thanks to Farmer MG for the loan of the IM6 - https://farmermg.co.nz/

🔔 Subscribe to EV Quest for NZ-focused EV reviews, news, and honest insights.

In this episode of EV Quest, Adrian sits down with a New Zealand solar broker Rowan Ellis from Equity Solar Brokers to unpack the process of going solar. 

We look at how brokers compare quotes, what homeowners should ask before committing, and potential mistakes people could make when purchasing solar and batteries.

Whether you're considering solar for the first time or want to understand if it’s really worth the investment, this episode gives you a clear perspective from someone who is in the industry.

Website: https://www.equitysolar.co.nz

Calculator:  https://www.equitysolar.co.nz/calculator

#solar #renewableenergy #solarbroker