NZ's Charging into the Future

New Zealand's Charging into the Future Following Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund Announcement

New Zealand’s Electric Vehicle Highway is one step closer to completion after this morning's Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund announcement by Energy Minister, Dr Megan Woods.

The announcement has signalled the government’s commitment to increasing EV uptake in Aotearoa.

This funding assists ChargeNet NZ, the largest EV fast charging network infrastructure provider in the Southern Hemisphere, to fill crucial the gaps in New Zealand’s ever-expanding charging infrastructure.

“ChargeNet was founded with the clear goal of increasing the uptake of electric vehicles by providing a reliable, nationwide charging network,” said ChargeNet NZ CEO, Steve West.

“Today’s announcement enables us to do just that, by connecting strategic routes in the Wellington region and South Island ensuring that long distance travel is both practical and accessible for EV drivers.”

The Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund announcement has confirmed Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) funding for three projects that ChargeNet NZ is involved with, with EECA contributing almost $475,000 to install 19 chargers across the country.

ChargeNet’s Alpine Pacific Route will see two EV fast chargers installed at Cheviot and Ward, supporting NZTA’s objective of a least one public fast charge station located every 75km on the state highway between Christchurch and Blenheim.

The Southern Scenic Route, a regional partnership between Venture Southland (Invercargill City, Southland District and Gore Councils), Powernet and ChargeNet NZ, will see the establishment of a dedicated electrified Southern tourist route with eight chargers being installed at Owaka, Papatowai, Waikawa, Tokanui, Riverton, Tuatapere, Manapouri, and Te Anau.

Lastly, a trans-regional partnership comprising of Electra, ChargeNet NZ, and the Horowhenua and Kapiti Coast District Councils, has been funded to install nine fast chargers in five towns in the Kapiti and Horowhenua regions - two of the fastest growing regions for EV adoption.

“New Zealand is enjoying the largest year on year growth of electric vehicles per head of population of any other country at equivalent stages of their adoption, and it’s heartening to see the diversity of the projects that are supported by the Contestable Fund,” said Mr West.

“We have long held the belief that increasing EV uptake in New Zealand requires a collaborative effort across our industry, and this announcement helped make that a reality.”

Additional Information

ChargeNet NZ is the only organisation installing a nationwide network of rapid charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. It is also the largest privately owned and operated DC fast charger network in the Southern Hemisphere.

To date, there are 98 DC fast chargers are on the ChargeNet network and by the end of 2018 there will be well over 100 chargers spread throughout the country.

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