VAITOHI pioneers first Tesla in Tonga
With all the hoopla that Climate Change is going to destroy Tonga as its people (and other similar vulnerable countries), one company has taken the initiative to make a difference on the emissions reduction and adaptation front.
Particularly in making available solutions that people can use effectively, joining the cause, and still be in line to elevating their lives forward.
Paula Vaitohi of Vaitohi Enterprises has landed the first Tesla electric vehicle (ev) in Tonga with a 2021 Model 3 shipped in from New Zealand.
Vaitohi Enterprises is a internal combustion engine (ice) vehicle and parts dealer and supplier, and taking on electric vehicles is a step that may contradict the company’s
A brief chat with the patriarch and founder of the company Taniela Vaitohi revealed the pragmatism of the decision to bring in Tesla’s vehicles, but he was humble about it.
He says he hopes his company is doing their part in helping the national and global struggle against climate change and environmental security.
“We have to try,” said Vaitohi said to Tonga Independent.
Vaitohi admits the vehicle is an eye magnet and popular, being at the very tip of cutting edge technology globally, but he does clarify that this is the first step in a long journey.
“You want it, we can get it”
It is no surprise the new Tesla in town is turning heads wherever its on the roads.
He says another new 2023 Tesla, but was cryptic enough to leave space for suspense and a pleasant surprise when it arrives. So car and tech enthusiasts, be on the lookout!
“For anyone out there interested to get a Tesla, we can certainly help them out!” says Vaitohi in case customers are daring enough to try out the new vehicles.
Dual Use: Low emissions transport + Household power-bank
The Teslas pack enough power that it can run your house’s power needs, or a few house’s power needs, for a few days.
The batteries can stack up to near 600kwh of power when fully charged. Meanwhile the average house in Tonga consumes around 150-300kwh per month.
With over the air updates, and a battery-pack that can also serve as reserve power in case the grid goes down from the likes of another Category 5 Super Cyclone of 2018, the car can be critical for prolonging life sustaining needs such as water pumps/purifiers, air purifiers, and freezers to preserve food during a blackout.
Tonga receives millions in climate change funding from foreign sources, and most have gone into buying solar panels from the same donors, and none particularly targets the transport sector.
According to HM Customs, currently the import duty on electric vehicles is only 3% of CIF charges, plus the usual CT.
The department admits that there still needs to be more coordination among government departments along the lines of promoting sustainable environmentally free solutions like electric vehicles.
Government has put up a new Energy Act, a new Energy Commission, no wonder there’s complications in communication and coordination as more compartmentalisation and silofication intensifies.
A growing community
Taniela Hamala has been driving a Nissan Leaf since 2017, and he lives in Kolonga on the farthest towns from the capital Nukualofa.
He is no stranger to the benefits of using an EV, considering his fuel costs are a fraction of his co- commuters from that part of the island.
Along with 10 other EV owners, he says the budding community are working together to promote the technology as they know first-hand their benefits to the environment and to their pockets.
However, he also reiterates the need for greater humility, openness, and consistency among policy makers as they seem to be the only obstacle on the way of a naturally occurring social phenomenon that doesn’t need too much government spending or intervention.
