A Central Otago couple have converted their farm to almost all electric but are staring at a zero power bill. They planted 9250 cherry trees, but a study by Hawea firm Environmental Accounting showed the orchard was far from carbon-neutral. The electric forklift Mike Casey uses on Forest Lodge Orchard is 40 years old. Forest Lodge Orchard founder Mike Casey during the growing season, with one of the property’s two 30kW electric frost-fighting fans behind him. The orchard has two electric cars and upgraded golf carts, a 40-year-old electric forklift and the house and outbuilding all run on electricity.

Source: Otago Daily Times May 27, 2022 21:17 UTC