Empowering organisations to transition their fleets to electric vehicles through data-driven simulation, fleet optimisation, and driver engagement technology.
Power Trip Limited is a Wellington-based technology startup that helps organisations transition their vehicle fleets to electric vehicles through data-driven simulation and advisory tools. Founded by Richard Heaps and registered in November 2016, the company began in 2019 as part of the Lightning Lab Tourism Accelerator with a simple app that predicted the real-world range of electric vehicles based on geospatial data. The company has since evolved into a comprehensive fleet electrification platform used by major New Zealand organisations. Power Trip's flagship product, Game Plan, analyses telematics data from existing fleet vehicles -- including where they are driven, how often they are used, and their idle times -- to simulate what a fleet would look like if it were fully electric. The tool models real-world EV performance, driving range, charging requirements, fuel and maintenance savings, and the operational changes needed to maximise benefits. This data-driven approach replaces guesswork with evidence, enabling fleet and sustainability managers to build compelling business cases for electrification. The company has also developed Optimiser for fleet optimisation and Driven as a mobile driver engagement platform. The company's most prominent success story is its work with Kainga Ora - Homes and Communities, New Zealand's public housing agency. Using Power Trip's Game Plan, Kainga Ora went from 4% to 40% electric vehicles within a year across its fleet of over 900 vehicles, placing it at the forefront of carbon-neutral policies in the New Zealand public sector. Other clients include Fulton Hogan (one of New Zealand's largest infrastructure companies), OfficeMax NZ (reduced vehicle fuel emissions by approximately 40%), and Porirua City Council. Power Trip has received angel investment including from Angel HQ, and maintains a partnership with Cartrack (now Karooooo) for telematics data integration and with AutoFlip for vehicle remarketing during fleet transitions.
Strategic fleet electrification simulation platform. Analyses telematics data from existing vehicles to model what a fleet would look like if fully electric. Examines driving patterns, usage frequency, idle times, and route characteristics over extended periods to provide whole-of-fleet analysis rather than single-vehicle snapshots. Outputs include EV feasibility assessments, vehicle replacement prioritisation, charging infrastructure requirements, fuel and maintenance savings projections, emissions reduction estimates, and operational change recommendations. Used by Kainga Ora and Fulton Hogan.
Desktop fleet optimisation application that helps fleet managers identify underutilised vehicles, right-size their fleets, and optimise vehicle allocation based on actual usage data. Works alongside Game Plan to ensure fleets are operating efficiently before and during the electrification transition.
Mobile driver engagement platform that provides education and support for drivers transitioning to electric vehicles. Helps address range anxiety, educates on charging best practices, and supports behavioural change across the fleet.
RWH Projects Limited registered on 28 November 2016 (Company Number 6182728, NZBN 9429045849558) by founder Richard Heaps in Wellington.
Company renamed from RWH Projects Limited to Power Trip Limited on 25 January 2018.
Selected for the Lightning Lab Tourism Accelerator. Launched the first iteration of the Power Trip app with a single function: predicting the real-world range of electric vehicles based on geospatial data and battery performance modelling.
Glenn Campbell joined as director (June 2020), supporting the company through its early growth phase.
Hayden Johnston appointed as director (April 2022). Company registered address moved to Berhampore, Wellington. Received angel investment including from Angel HQ Nominee Limited and Lightning Lab Tourism 2019 LP.
Launched Game Plan fleet electrification platform in December 2023. Onboarded Kainga Ora and Fulton Hogan as clients. Stephen Thornton joined as director (April 2023). NBR reported on Power Trip's '$2M EV growth ambition' -- seeking $2 million seed round for team expansion and overseas market entry. Achieved headline result: one fleet went from 4% to 36% EV uptake within a year using better data.
Kainga Ora case study published showing fleet transition from 4% to 40% EVs within one year across 900+ vehicles. Partnership with Cartrack NZ for telematics data integration announced. Partnership with AutoFlip for fleet vehicle remarketing during EV transitions. Expanded product suite to include Optimiser and Driven alongside Game Plan. Registered address moved to Churton Park, Wellington.
Tim Robinson appointed as director (April 2025), replacing Stephen Thornton. Continued growth of the Game Plan platform and client base.
Founder & CEO
Director since incorporation in November 2016. Majority shareholder with approximately 60% of the company. Career focused on using data and software to solve large-scale operational problems. Participated in the Lightning Lab Tourism Accelerator in 2019. Based in Wellington.
Chief Operating Officer
Oversees operations and business development for the Power Trip platform.
Chief Technology Officer & Lead Developer
Leads technical development of the Game Plan, Optimiser, and Driven platforms.
Director
Appointed to the board in April 2022. Based in Westmere, Auckland.
Director
Appointed to the board in April 2025. Based in Miramar, Wellington.
Power Trip's relevance to Road User Charges stems from its central role in accelerating EV fleet adoption in New Zealand. As organisations transition their fleets from petrol and diesel to electric vehicles using Power Trip's tools, those fleets move from the fuel excise duty (FED) revenue base to the RUC revenue base. Every vehicle that Power Trip helps electrify becomes a new RUC-paying vehicle, making the company a significant indirect driver of RUC system growth. The company's fleet simulation tools also need to account for RUC costs when modelling the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles versus internal combustion alternatives.
Founded by Richard Heaps after a near-disaster road trip in a Nissan Leaf, Power Trip launched as a Wellington-based startup offering a free EV road trip planning app. The app addressed range anxiety by predicting realistic battery usage based on geospatial data including elevation, road speeds, and driving conditions.
Power Trip launched Game Plan, a fleet electrification analysis tool developed in partnership with Argus Tracking. Its flagship case study was Kainga Ora (NZ's public housing provider), which used Game Plan to increase its 900-vehicle fleet from 4% to 40% EVs within a single year.
In September 2024, Power Trip upgraded its Game Plan and Optimiser tools to support heavy vehicle fleet electrification, adding new vehicle profiles for trucks and buses alongside route optimisation for up to 200 stops.
6182728
9429045849558
NZ Limited Company
28 Nov 2016
99b Westchester Drive, Churton Park, Wellington, 6037, New Zealand
M699945 - Professional, scientific and technical services nec
Richard Heaps
Wellington, New Zealand
Hayden Johnston
Auckland, New Zealand
Tim Robinson
Wellington, New Zealand
169,133 total shares
Richard Heaps
100,886 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Angel HQ Nominee Limited
29,792 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Mosscar Services Limited
10,948 shares · Auckland, New Zealand
Lightning Lab Tourism 2019 LP
6,383 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
EV City Limited
5,251 shares · Christchurch, New Zealand
Nicholas Molhoek
3,171 shares · Canterbury, New Zealand
Nicholas Koirala
3,169 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
David Ermen
2,011 shares · Northland, New Zealand
Alexander Korban
1,419 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
David Peck
1,260 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Simon Margrett
1,248 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Matapapa Pty Limited
1,241 shares · Sydney, Australia
Michael La Rooy
1,241 shares · England, United Kingdom
Tim Robinson
1,113 shares · Wellington, New Zealand
Source: NZ Companies Office · Last checked February 2026
View on Companies RegisterAnalysis of notable corporate and institutional shareholders. Individual shareholders are excluded.
Angel HQ
Angel HQ Nominee Limited
Wellington's angel investing network, founded in 2010, connecting startups with investors. Has backed 150+ NZ companies including Sharesies, Hnry, and Flick Electric. The nominee company pools and holds shares on behalf of multiple individual angel investors - so the 17.61% stake likely represents pooled investments from dozens of angels, simplifying the cap table into a single legal entity.
Genuine Vehicle Imports (GVI)
Mosscar Services Limited
Trades as Genuine Vehicle Imports (GVI), one of NZ's largest importers of used Japanese vehicles, based in Penrose, Auckland. Owned by Peter 'PJ' Johnston and son Hayden Johnston - Hayden is also a Power Trip director (appointed April 2022), explaining the shareholding. GVI launched GVI Electric, a dedicated EV sales division named EV Sales and Service Champion at EVworld NZ twice.
Lightning Lab (Creative HQ)
Lightning Lab Tourism 2019 LP
Lightning Lab is NZ's premier startup accelerator operated by Creative HQ. The Tourism 2019 programme was a three-month accelerator at Christchurch Airport where Power Trip was selected from ~70 applicants, receiving $18,000 in seed capital for equity. This is where Power Trip began - originally focused on EV range prediction for tourists. Supported by Callaghan Innovation, Air NZ, and Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
EV City
EV City Limited
Christchurch's specialist electric vehicle dealership at 158 Wordsworth Street, Sydenham. Founded by David Boot, opened in 2018, stocking Tesla, Polestar, MG, BYD, and Nissan. Boot is a prominent EV educator and public speaker. The investment is strategic - an EV retailer backing fleet electrification software. Power Trip appears as a partner on the EV City website.
