By Justin Crooks, Founder of EV East
We’re getting ready to take Veehop and EKO to the Fishing, Hunting and 4×4 Expo in Nelson. After the conversations we had at the Rotorua show, I’m looking forward to hearing what people have in mind this time.
One of the things I enjoy about these events is the variety of people who stop for a chat. They bring different experience, different terrain and different ideas about what an electric vehicle could help them do.
In Rotorua, we had everyone from fisheries officers to seasoned hunters considering the Veehop. Some were looking at it for recreation, others for practical work outdoors. Those conversations reminded us just how varied the uses for these vehicles can be.
Sometimes a little assistance opens things up again
My own interest in electric vehicles has a personal side. I’ve always loved getting into the bush, but living with an autoimmune condition has put limits on how much sustained physical effort I can manage.
Electrifying my mountain bike helped me keep doing something I enjoyed. That experience was part of what got me thinking about the wider possibilities of electric transport.
For someone else, the challenge might be carrying fishing gear, covering a longer property track or managing an old injury. Sometimes a little assistance makes a favourite outing manageable again. Other times, it simply makes a working day easier.
That is part of what interests me about this space: finding practical ways to help people get out and do more.
Learning from people who use them
Our Hawke’s Bay agent joined us at Rotorua with his own Veehop. He had modified it to suit the way he uses it while maintaining backcountry huts and tracks.
It was useful to have a vehicle on the stand that reflected someone’s actual working routine. Visitors could talk with him about what he does, why he chose it and how he had adapted it to his needs.
Those are the conversations that help us understand what matters beyond a specification sheet. How do you transport the vehicle? What equipment do you need to carry? What is the ground like? Where does it make the job easier, and where are its limits?
We learn plenty from the people asking those questions, too.
Our Hawke’s Bay agent’s Veehop, adapted for his work maintaining backcountry huts and tracks.
Veehop and EKO offer different possibilities
The Veehop’s compact, foldable format is part of its appeal. For people considering an off-road electric vehicle, how they will transport and store it can matter just as much as how it performs once they arrive.
It attracts interest from people who want something for their own outdoor activities, as well as those considering it for work. The right choice depends on the person, their equipment and the routes they intend to use.
An EKO buggy offers a different set of possibilities. Depending on the model, it can provide room for passengers, a cargo tray for equipment, or a combination of the two.
That could suit someone carrying fishing gear around a property, moving tools between jobs or wanting a vehicle that serves both everyday work and recreation.
There is plenty to discuss before choosing either one. We would much rather hear what you want to do with it than start by pointing you towards a particular model.
Start with the ground you will actually cover
“Off-road” can mean anything from a maintained gravel track to steep, muddy and deeply rutted country. Those are very different demands.
When we talk with customers, we want to understand the hills, ground conditions, loads and distances involved. Range will vary with terrain, driving habits and the weight being carried, so it helps to think about the whole outing rather than just the distance to your destination.
Access matters as well. A quiet electric vehicle still needs permission to be there. Check the rules for the property or route you intend to use, including any restrictions on motorised vehicles.
A useful vehicle is one that fits both your plans and the places you are allowed to take it.
Come and tell us what you have in mind
At Nelson, we’ll be focusing on Veehop and EKO. Whether you’re a hunter, an angler, someone working outdoors or simply looking for an easier way to get around your property, come and have a look.
Bring your questions—and your ideas. Our Rotorua conversations showed us how much we can learn from people who know their own country and the jobs they need to get done.
We’re looking forward to more of those conversations in Nelson.
Can’t make it to the expo? Get in touch with EV East and tell us what you’re looking to do. We’re happy to talk through the options.
