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EV QUEST

EV QUEST

Adrian Maidment 235 Episodes Sep 7, 2026

EV Quest is the electric vehicle podcast for New Zealand, Australia and beyond. Hosted by Adrian Maidment in New Zealand, and joined regularly by Riz Akhtar from Carloop, EV Quest delivers the latest EV news, reviews and industry insights from across New Zealand, Australia and the global EV market. Each week you’ll hear conversations about electric cars, charging infrastructure, EV ownership and the future of sustainable mobility. From interviews with EV industry leaders to reviews of the newest electric vehicles, EV Quest keeps you connected to the fast-changing world of electric transport.

Episodes

What Do the Latest EV Sales Figures Really Mean? | Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 Electric Driven
What Do the Latest EV Sales Figures Really Mean? | Mercedes-Benz CLA 350 Electric Driven Sep 7, 2026 1245 Australia's EV market has had a record-breaking month, with battery electric vehicles making up almost one in four new cars sold. But what do the latest sales figures really tell us about where the market is heading?In this episode of the EV Quest Podcast, Adrian Maidment and Carloop founder Riz Akhtar break down the latest EV sales data from Australia and New Zealand. Why is Australia se
2026 Honda Super One Review: Is the Fun Worth the Compromise?
2026 Honda Super One Review: Is the Fun Worth the Compromise? Sep 5, 2026 553 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 ge
Are EV Buyers Ever Going Back to Petrol? | Zeekr 7GT
Are EV Buyers Ever Going Back to Petrol? | Zeekr 7GT Aug 31, 2026 934 Are EV buyers really on a one-way street? Adrian and Riz explore why more drivers are sticking with EVs, the growing EV price war and the rapid arrival of new Chinese brands.Plus, Adrian shares his first impressions of the Honda Super One, the Mazda 6e arrives in New Zealand, Riz drives the new Zeekr 7GT, and we look at Tesla news, the Omoda E5 recall and what August EV sales could reveal
☀️ Solar + Battery After One Year: Dale’s Real-World Experience
☀️ Solar + Battery After One Year: Dale’s Real-World Experience Aug 27, 2026 1070 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 smoot
KGM Musso Missing Airbags, Honest EV Confessions & Tesla’s Big Truck Order
KGM Musso Missing Airbags, Honest EV Confessions & Tesla’s Big Truck Order Aug 23, 2026 877 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.• Leapm
BYD ATTO 3 EVO Arrives: Big Upgrade, Bigger Price?
BYD ATTO 3 EVO Arrives: Big Upgrade, Bigger Price? Aug 16, 2026 925 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 c
Australia EV Sales: July Winners & Losers | EV Quest Podcast
Australia EV Sales: July Winners & Losers | EV Quest Podcast Aug 9, 2026 942 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%  
2026 GWM ORA 5: Is This NZ's Best-Value EV?
2026 GWM ORA 5: Is This NZ's Best-Value EV? Aug 8, 2026 991 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
July EV Sales Impress, GWM Ora 5 Driven, Ford's Geely Deal
July EV Sales Impress, GWM Ora 5 Driven, Ford's Geely Deal Aug 2, 2026 1041 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 ne
Has China Already Won the EV Race? | The Big Shift in Australia & New Zealand
Has China Already Won the EV Race? | The Big Shift in Australia & New Zealand Jul 26, 2026 817 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
GAC AION V Review: Big Range, Affordable, and with a Fridge!
GAC AION V Review: Big Range, Affordable, and with a Fridge! Jul 1, 2026 916 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 i
Solar, Batteries & EVs | Lightforce Solar interview at Fieldays
Solar, Batteries & EVs | Lightforce Solar interview at Fieldays Jun 12, 2026 653 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 share

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