A beekeeper from Paihia is on what is believed to be the first trip from Cape Reigna to the Bluff and back in a production model 100 per cent electrical car.

Craig Salmon stopped off in Tauranga today to charge both his and his car's batteries.

Craig Salmon charging up at Beachside Holiday Park at Mt Maunganui before heading north.

During his return trip he has travelled home via the remote West Coast of the South Island then around East Cape to show people he can get a charge wherever he goes.

'I wanted to show it's now possible to travel the length of the country running on 100% New Zealand made electricity,” says Craig.

'The technology is here, electricity sockets are everywhere, and we have a good alternative to petrol fuelled cars. It's affordable for lots of people with electric Nissan LEAFs for sale on Trademe between $20-25,000 and new for around $40,000. And it's only going to get better and cheaper.”

It costs Craig around $5 to go 100 kilometres.

He's used about $250 worth of electricity to recharge the car and has travelled over 5000km on this month long tour so far.

The bulk of the recharging has been done at holiday parks as they have ample parking and a good power supply which is normally used by caravans but nearly doubles the speed of recharging compared to a normal power socket.

'I called in to Nissan Mt Maunganui this morning grabbed a bit of charge and had a chat to them about the trip.

'They were amazed I'd taken it [the car] so far. Now I'm plugged in at the Mt Manganui Beach Side Holiday Park enjoying the beach and cafe's while my car's topping up.”

Craig adds: 'It's totally awesome knowing you're driving on New Zealand made electricity.”

'I let people take a test drive and they're genuinely surprised when they feel how quick off the mark the car goes - they end up smiling like a little kid.

'It was important for me to visit the Mount and East Cape on my trip. Bay of Plenty has felt the effects just a small oil spill with the Rena, and all the Kiwi's I've talked to know we need to head this way and get off oil. I'm out to show that it can be done now, and you can save money and have fun while doing it.”

All Craig needs to recharge is a household power socket for overnight charging, otherwise with a caravan plug adapter he can fill up at a holiday parks which takes around 4-5 hours.

While the car is refuelling, Craig checks out the local attractions.

'In some areas 20 minute fast-charge stations are being installed and the electricity companies are getting right behind the technology.

'I see opportunities for tourist operators, movie theatres and supermarkets to install low cost charging stations so owners can top up while they shop.”

He says it's been a great way to travel and while the car's been charging he's been whitewater rafting at Turangi, visiting museums, seen yellow eyed penguins at the Catlins, ate crayfish along the Kaikoura coast and caught up with old friends and made plenty of new ones.

Craig also drove to the top of the world's steepest street in Dunedin and to the steps of Parliament to meet with MPs and journalists.

'It's a pity our government doesn't really see the opportunity. By supporting the technology and helping set up charging infrastructure they'd be helping ordinary Kiwis save money, creating jobs in the clean energy sector and be working towards energy independence all in one hit. All the people I've talked to on this trip see it the same way,” adds Craig.

'I guess they've put themselves over a barrel when they're promoting oil drilling.” The car gets about 100 km of driving from a full charge on the open road and around 150 km around town.

Over the past year Craig's covered 20,000 km with fuel savings of over $2000 all with no pollution while driving.

Because the car is electric it does not have a cam-belt or exhaust pipe and doesn't require oil changes.

Many plastics and metal used in the car's construction are recycled and the lithium batteries are taken back by Nissan for recycling. Check out Craig's blog at:http://www.eventure.kiwi/