I had the rare pleasure of riding in a couple of electric cars over the holidays, a BYD Atto 3, and a Tesla Model 3. I love the futuristic feel of these cars, the minimalist dashboard and hi-tech displays. They appeal to the techie in me. The quiet whir of the electric motors just adds to the effect. But, despite the blitz of advertising in 2023, I resisted the urge to buy an EV.
It didn't make economic sense, despite the lure of the clean car rebate which until the incoming government axed it on December 31 - promised a discount of up to $8000 on the EV models I was eyeing up. I've got a perfectly good 2016 petrolpowered Nissan that I'd get very little for on the second-hand market and which I'll probably drive until it dies.
Hundreds of thousands of Kiwis are in the same boat, wedded to petrol for many years to come but feeling very self-conscious about it, and resentful every time we approach a petrol pump.
Denne historien er fra February 03-09, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
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Denne historien er fra February 03-09, 2024-utgaven av New Zealand Listener.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.
