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

This is a cross between a PSA and a scream into the void. I'm sure there'll be a mix of sympathies and indifference in reply.

TL;DR: Do not buy 2019-2022 Kona EV, if you have one then rid yourself of it asap.

I bought a 2019 Hyundai Kona EV about three months ago from a 2nd hand dealer. 120,000 kms, full service history and I am only the 2nd non-dealer owner. Vehicle is out of Hyundai's 3 year/100,000km mechanical warranty. I felt that a known brand and modern car would be a safe bet. I have purchased plenty of Toyota's over 100,000km and never had an issue. In this instance I was wrong.

About two weeks ago (and after I had put 5000kms on) I noticed a grinding/rattling, which after some googling I suspected was the dreaded wheel of fortune noise. I contacted Hyundai who recommended I have the car inspected by a service agent. I did and they found the fault was with the traction motor or the gear reduction unit. Difficult to ascertain which specifically without further (expensive) labour and effort and both are costly repairs. I was quoted $12,500 plus labour for a new traction motor. It's also unclear if this is a design issue or a bad batch of components - if it's the former what is to stop it happening again?

If this was a one off issue I'd understand. It would be my bad luck and I'd have to wear it. I am fully aware of the risks of buying 2nd hand. I get that, and this is key to my argument - it is not a one off, this is a known issue.

I contacted Hyundai again pointing out this is a known issue, Hyundai USA have issued a tech bulletin about it and it's documented as such in numerous online posts and sites. Hyundai global must surely be aware of this. I stated this is clearly a manufacturing defect and Hyundai are playing the odds rather than issuing a recall.

Once again I was denied by Hyundai NZ. I think Hyundai NZ are hiding behind the law (vehicle is out of warranty) and refusing to stand behind their product. I do not think 120,000km on a modern vehicle is high and certainly not for core components such as the main motor and gearbox. Certainly under the CGA a car should last a lot longer than that.

I might try a dealer CGA claim, I might fix the car and swallow the cost, I might scrap it altogether. I don't know yet. What I do know is that I will never trust or buy Hyundai again and I will tell this story to anyone who wants to hear it.

I am sure many reading this will think "yeah that is the risk of buying 2nd hand" and yeah, it is to a degree. I know many vehicles have issues, though I am not aware of anything so critical as this. I have been told that ultimately the part making the noise will fail catastrophically leading to no control of the traction motor. If this is correct I can only hope it doesn't happen when on the open road where results could potentially be quite serious. I'd like to see Hyundai's reaction if that was proven to be the cause of an accident.

I guess what I want to stress here is that in this case Hyundai NZ are not standing behind their product, therefore how can any of us be sure they'll stand behind anything else they produce. Who knows what issues will appear in due course across any of their products, and what will be their response then?

Dave Kavermann

Journalist

Toyota New Zealand has quietly increased the price of its entire bZ4X electric SUV range by $2000, as strong demand has left the brand sold out of current stock, pushing delivery wait times into next year.

The price rise affects every variant in the updated bZ4X lineup, which only arrived in local dealerships last month, with the entry-level bZ4x Pure now starting from $58,990 drive away, while the flagship and soon-to-arrive bZ4x Touring rises to $71,990.

Despite the increase, the range remains substantially cheaper than the original bZ4X launched in New Zealand in 2024, when comparable models were priced from $72,990 for the entry-level variant and $82,990 for the all-wheel drive model.

Toyota says the unexpected response from buyers has exhausted its initial allocation, with new orders for the standard bZ4X now not expected to be fulfilled until early 2027, although the bZ4X Touring remains on track to arrive in New Zealand during September or October this year.

Toyota New Zealand told CarExpert in a statement, the first shipment of bZ4x EVs sold far quicker than anticipated.

"With the rapid increase in petrol prices due to global events, as many brands found, interest and sales of EVs increased. We found this with the new bZ4X stock as orders and sales exceeded our expectations, selling out four months of stock in a few weeks."

The company added the updated model's improvements have also contributed to its popularity.

"The new generation bZ4X has improved performance and range and have been selling well leading to unanticipated wait times."

Toyota New Zealand says it is working to secure additional production, though increased global demand means extra allocation isn't guaranteed.

"We are always assessing our supply and looking to secure more for vehicles that customers are wanting. Many distributors are in the same position therefore Toyota Motor Corporation needs to allocate stock accordingly."

The sales success could also strengthen the case for additional battery-electric Toyotas in New Zealand, although the company says it remains committed to offering multiple powertrain options.

"We are always assessing our future lineup based on customer demand and needs. With a multi-pathway approach (offering diesel, hybrid, PHEV and full electric), we aim to have a good selection across all powertrains, including fully electric."

Toyota also offer models that are powered exclusively by petrol, however they are reserved for high-performance GR models like the GR Yaris, GR Corolla, and GR86.

The current-generation bZ4X arrived in New Zealand with a larger 74.7kWh battery, more powerful electric motors and substantially improved WLTP driving range.

The front-wheel drive Pure produces 167kW and 269Nm with a claimed WLTP range of up to 591km, while the all-wheel drive Motion develops 255kW and 438Nm with a 517km range.

The new bZ4X Touring tops the lineup with 280kW and 438Nm, while offering a larger body and a 600-litre boot. Its claimed WLTP range is 488km.

All variants support up to 22kW AC charging and 150kW DC fast charging, while the AWD Motion and Touring models also double braked towing capacity to 1500kg.

The updated model also introduced refreshed 'hammerhead' styling, a larger 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen and expanded safety equipment, helping transform Toyota's only battery-electric passenger vehicle into one of the brand's fastest-selling new models in New Zealand.

The bZ4x range mirrors the sucsess of the new-generation RAV4, with the brand earlier confirming to CarExpert that some versions of the best-selling SUV have also sold out until 2027.

For those of you who have owned a BYD or Tesla for 3+ years and rely heavily on the mobile app, do you ever worry that one day the manufacturer will start charging a monthly or annual subscription just to keep using features like:

• Phone key (unlock/lock)
• Remote climate control (heating/AC)
• Vehicle status
• Other remote app functions

I've had my BYD for about 3.5 years now. I never subscribed to the optional 2 GB monthly data plan, yet I can still use all the app features without any issues. I've become so used to using my phone that I don't even carry the key fob anymore.

It got me thinking—surely the car's built-in internet connection isn't free? BYD or Tesla NZ must be paying the mobile network provider to keep the embedded SIM connected, even for owners who don't pay for the optional data plan.

Do you think they'll eventually introduce a subscription fee for basic app access, or is this just considered part of the ownership experience now?

I'd be interested to hear what long-term owners think, especially if you've owned your EV for several years.

I got a letter from Genesis saying they are moving me from the EVHome plan to the PowerHome plan. From what I can tell, PowerHome is more their new standard residential plan for power and gas users, but it doesn’t come with any of the EVHome perks like half rate power from 9pm-7am. It also doesn’t come with EVerywhere.

My household has 2 EVs. I also currently don’t have a charger at home, because I’ve recently (in the last 2 and a half months or so) relocated into a temporary rental while my house was on the market. All of our charging for both cars is done with public chargers. I only live in a small town and don’t need to charge too often, and EVerywhere saves me an average of $50 a month.

I’d much rather stay on EVHome as I’m told it isn’t a plan being scrapped, but apparently my options are to shift to PowerHome or find a new retailer. Anybody else in the same issue, or have anything further to add about PowerHome that I’ve missed or got wrong?

If you’ve also been told you are shifting and you don’t want to shift, what are you doing about it?

EDIT: Thanks all for the comments - I contacted Genesis and they confirmed that the EVHome plan is staying, but the gas is changing :) still keeping the EV perks!

Words: Richard Edwards

Published 15 July 2026

XPeng’s move on the New Zealand market isn’t stopping with the G6. The brand has confirmed its L03 crossover is on the way here, due to land at the end of Q4.

The confirmation comes from XPeng NZ as the first X9s reach customers this week, and just days before the L03 makes its global debut. XPeng will launch the car simultaneously in China and 63 other markets at an event in Munich on July 16 (NZT July 17), billed as one of the most ambitious single-model launches the EV world has seen. We expect to learn more about the local programme at a press event next week.

The L03 is the second model from XPeng’s Mona family, following the M03 sedan, and takes the form of a 4650mm coupe-style SUV, pitched as a cheaper alternative to the Tesla Model Y. It rides on a 2850mm wheelbase, offers 539 litres of boot space and cuts through the air with a slippery 0.228 drag coefficient.

In China, the electric version pairs a single front motor of around 180kW with LFP batteries of 56kWh or 71kWh, good for a claimed 525-625km on the lenient CLTC cycle; expect a WLTP figure in the low 500s for the bigger pack. An extended-range hybrid with a 1.5-litre petrol generator also exists, with up to 1330km of combined range, though there’s no word yet on whether that version is part of the export plan.

The headline act is the tech. Every L03 carries XPeng’s in-house Turing AI chip and its VLA 2.0 driver assistance system as standard, alongside a 15.6-inch central screen, a massive 26.8-inch head-up display and a 20-speaker sound system.

Pricing is the L03’s other weapon. Chinese pre-sales opened at 143,800 to 165,800 yuan (roughly $34k to $40k in our money) and the car sits below the G6 in XPeng’s hierarchy. Local pricing won’t translate directly once shipping and compliance are factored in, but with the G6 opening at $59,990 here, the L03 should comfortably become the cheapest route into the brand, and a genuine price threat to the Model Y.

The L03 will become XPeng NZ’s third model line, joining the G6 and the newly priced X9. From a standing start, that is a rapid build-out.

Hello! My name is Ke-Xin Li and I'm a journalist at Radio New Zealand. I'm looking into Tesla making owners sign "Goodwill Agreements" before giving them refunds/repairs...

A few owners are wanting to speak up, and the power of the collective means everyone could be protected.

Is Tesla Trying To Keep Owners From Reporting Vehicle Safety Problems?

Similar issue has been reported in 2016 in the above article. If you know of anything (even hearsay), please get in touch [email protected]

Hi

My wife and I have been following along on this subreddit for a while and we're finally in a position to pull the trigger on a new EV.

We're a bit (very) naive about buying cars, especially new ones, and honestly have had a couple really uncomfortable pushy experiences and bad vibes from dealers during this process. This has led us to look at possibly just configuring one online via a brand website (which I guess just sends a request to a local dealer to fulfil the request?). EDIT: We've test-driven a few and know basically what we want in terms of trim.

Our question really is are we missing out on anything or leaving money on the table if we do this? Is it still considered stupid to pay sticker price - the vibe we got from a couple of the dealers is there's no room to move on the Chinese brands? Is it still beneficial to be a cash buyer (we haven't decided exactly how we're doing this yet but we're in a position where we could top up our home loan to be cash buyers if it makes sense to)? Are there better dealers than others for this stuff?

Really appreciate any advice!

Hi,

I am thinking of going there for the weekend to enjoy the snow mountain view. I will not be going up the mountain. Do I need snow chains? I drive a 2022 RWD Tesla with 18" wheels.

Thanks in advance.

So I got the update yesterday when I got home. Had my Tesla wall charger plugged and hit update. Said update will take 37mins. Got a notification on my app to say can't update while charging or discharging.UI is updated but it still says to uodate. Unplug the charger try again and now update says 9 mins. Same error. I leave it for half hour same error, leave overnight same error. Now my Tesla charger is blinking 3 red lights and won't charge, the charging speed varies between 0.0 and 1.0 kw.

Ive restarted the infotainment system and turned the Tesla charger off at the mains. Tried the update via the app and it's the same.

Have driven the car for a short journey and it's seems fine but I can't charge it.

Anyone had this?