As a tourist destination, few places in the world can compare with New Zealand.
Not only does the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’ boast an incredible landscape of scenery which time seems to have forgotten, the country also offers world class activities like bungee jumping and heli-skiing for adrenaline junkies (aka mad people!).
In addition, it also presents some of the best quality produce that foodies and oenophiles can ever hope to taste. Night skies that are so clear you could almost touch the stars. A fascinating Maori culture that dates back for more than 700 years, and a sporting excellence that includes the legendary All Blacks.
Then of course, there are its incredible scenic drives.
No other country on earth offers driving opportunities quite like the Kiwis do. And with such a beautiful landscape to preserve, there is no better way to explore both the North and South Island than in an electric car.
If this is something you would like to do, you might as well do it in style. Which is why in this article, we will outline why you should get a Tesla on your next holiday to New Zealand.
So, let’s begin!
What is a Tesla?
Tesla is a manufacturer of electric vehicles (EV) whose main goal is to produce both premium and affordable electric cars for everyone.
Based in Palo Alto, California, the company is headed its founder and current CEO, Elon Musk.
Their vehicles are known for their excellent performance and high-tech interiors. They also have a reputation for being quiet, economical to run and very environmentally friendly.
Much acclaimed, Tesla’s range of electric cars includes the Model S, Model 3, and Model Y. The latter of which was the best-selling make and model of car in California in the first half of 2022.
Tesla models available in New Zealand
It you are planning a driving holiday in New Zealand; Go Rentals offer both the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y in their fleet of hire cars.
Both of which will provide you with completely carbon-neutral travel options to enjoy.
The Tesla Model 3 is available to hire from their locations in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson, Queenstown and Wellington. While the Tesla Model Y is only available at present in Auckland.
Here is a brief rundown of these two models of electric cars:
Tesla Model 3 Rental
The Tesla Model 3 medium-sized sedan promises an effortless driving experience.
Capable of accelerating from 0 to 100 km in just 6.1 seconds, it can travel up to 400 km on a single charge.
A very environmentally friendly car, it also comes with luxury finishes and very comfortable seating.
Tesla Model Y Rental
A medium-sized wagon, the Tesla Model Y has a very roomy interior. It also provides massive visibility, which enables you to take in the wonderful scenery the country has to offer.
Comfortably fitting 5 adults, this is a very good electric car to hire in New Zealand for families or a group of friends.
Offering a flat floor for the rear seats, it also provides a lot more leg room than most other cars. It even has the ability to lower each seat separately, which you can utilise for extra luggage space.
Why rent a Tesla?
Although you obviously have the option to hire any type of vehicle you want on your next holiday to New Zealand, there are some compelling reasons why you should choose a Tesla. This includes the following:
Carbon Neutral driving
Arguably its main selling point is that is offers you the opportunity to engage in carbon neutral driving whilst exploring the country.
As compared to regular cars that run on petrol, both the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y have much cleaner emissions.
They are also smarter and thus enable you to enjoy sustainable travel. Which means future generations would be able to enjoy road tripping around NZ too.
Luxury & technology
Tesla cars are known for their hi-tech features and deluxe designs.
This includes luxury leather interiors, huge glass roofs and a 15-inch media, control and centre. All of which will provide you with a top-notch driving experience.
Safety
Both the Model 3 and Model Y are renowned for their outstanding safety features.
Thanks in part to their low centre of gravity and steel and aluminium frame, they enjoy a 5-star ANCAP safety rating in every single category.
This provides a benchmark for protection which many petrol car manufacturers are simply unable to match.
Range
Depending on the model, Tesla cars enjoy a range of between 350 km to 400 km.
This enables you to cover good distances during your driving holiday in New Zealand – and there are plenty of charging stations throughout the country where you can top up the battery.
Scenic drives in New Zealand
So now that you are aware of why you should get a Tesla on your next holiday to New Zealand, the question remains of where can you drive to?
As mentioned previously, New Zealand has some amazing road trips you can undertake. These include the following:
Arthur’s Pass – An iconic mountain pass road that will take you across the Southern Alps from Christchurch to Hokitika.
The Crown Range – The highest main road in New Zealand’s will take you from Queenstown to Wanaka.
The Milford Road – 118 km road trip that runs from Te Anau to the magnificent Milford Sound.
The West Coast – Epic 507 km journey from Punakaiki to Lake Wanaka that showcases some of New Zealand’s greatest treasures including the Blue Pools, Lake Matheson, Thunder Creek Falls, Fox Glacier and Franz Josef, Haast Pass and Pancake Rocks.
Lindis Pass – Stunning drive from Cromwell to Mackenzie Country that takes in Mount Cook National Park and Lake Tekapo.
The Catlins Scenic Drive – Incredible scenic drive from Balclutha to Invercargill, where you might be able to see the Yellow-Eyed Penguin. Which is believed to be the world’s rarest penguin breed.
Lewis Pass – Drive across the Southern Alps from Canterbury to the West Coast for amazing views.
Gateway to Paradise – Jaw-dropping 45 km stretch of road from Queenstown to Glenorchy, that passes the shores of Lake Wakatipu, to an area locals refer to as the ‘gateway to paradise’.
Final Thought
We hope this article has convinced you to get a Tesla on your next holiday to New Zealand.
Aside from being a great car, when you visit Aotearoa, one thing you will notice is that it has some of the cleanest and safest air in the world.
With that in mind, we should all be doing our bit to preserve this status.
Which is ultimately, why we think Tesla cars are a real game changer. Especially for those tourists who want to hire a vehicle to travel around in.
