Super-fast Teslas charging this way

This high-performance Tesla electric car will make the trip from Cape Reinga to Bluff in April, giving people the chance to drive the latest electric vehicle technology.

Northlanders wanting to get behind the wheel of the latest high-powered Tesla electric car will get the chance in April when a fleet of electric vehicles begins a length-of-the-country road trip at Cape Reinga.

The second annual Leading The Charge road trip will set off from the Cape on April 6 when a convoy of electric vehicle (EV) and their owners make the 2074km journey using electricity.

There will be at least three Tesla EVs available for test rides and viewing for the duration of the trip, with two having the so-called "Ludicrous" mode, capable of shifting the cars from 0-100km/h in three seconds - super car performance.

The EV owners and enthusiasts - known as EVangelists - will be visiting towns and cities from Cape Reinga to Bluff to share their knowledge and passion for EV technology.

They will stop at Kaeo on April 6, Paihia and Kawakawa's Hundertwasser Toilets on April 7, then Whangarei, Dargaville, Bayly's Beach and Matakohe Museum on April 8, finishing in Invercargill on April 22.

"Electric Vehicle enthusiasts and owners are one of the most cohesive and positive groups of people on the planet, in our opinion," said Nick Smith, chief operating officer for ChargeNet, which is a major sponsor of the event.

"We all look forward to any excuse to get together and our annual road trip is a brilliant reason to get out and connect with our community and anyone who wants to know more about EVs."

He said the road trip would highlight the huge advances in charging infrastructure, EV ownership, and public knowledge of the electrification of transport in New Zealand.

There are more than 900 plug-in EVs registered on New Zealand roads - more than double 12 months ago - including more than 50 EVs in Northland. Fast charge stations for EVs are in Whangarei, Kawakawa, Dargaville and Kaiwaka.

New Zealand also boasts 80 per cent renewable electricity generation, which means charging and driving EVs is relatively cheap.