Electric highway comes to Queenstown with opening of first fast charger

A new electric vehicle (EV) fast charger is now open for business in Queenstown, just in time for winter travellers making their way to New Zealand’s most popular tourist destination.

The DC fast charger, installed and managed by ChargeNet NZ and supported by EECA through their Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, is conveniently located at the Pak'nSave at Frankton, Queenstown.

It will allow drivers to park, plug in, and recharge while they do their shopping and is one of 50 electric vehicle chargers to be installed at FoodStuffs’ supermarket sites around the country.

The charger is the 76th to be installed by ChargeNet as part of an Electric Highway stretching from the Far North to the Deep South which will have 105 chargers operating by year end to make it easier to convert to electric vehicles.

“The collaborative partnership between ChargeNet, FoodStuffs and EECA is an example of a public-private partnership with a shared goal of encouraging faster uptake of electric vehicles to reduce our carbon emissions and imported fossil fuel bills,” says ChargeNet CEO, Steve West.

“The Frankton charger is one of at least three to be installed in Queenstown and forms a significant part of the nationwide electric highway that we’re building and funding along the major tourist routes and highways of New Zealand.”

The Frankton fast charger at a busy supermarket location is well placed for EV drivers, whether they are locals or tourists, and takes away the anxiety of batteries running low with the convenience now of recharging in 20 to 40 minutes.

“Drivers can park, get a coffee or their grocery shopping done and be on their way with a fully charged battery,” Mr West said.

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