More chargers for electric cars coming

Locations around Northland will soon get more electric car charges, such as the one officially opened at Kaiwaka on October 30. Photo / Supplied

ChargeNet fast chargers for electric cars (EVs) are set to be installed in a number of locations across Northland before Christmas, with a new station in Dargaville next week and one in Kawakawa within weeks.

ChargeNet is set to roll out a further 74 fast charge stations around New Zealand over three years - with the next one to be launched in Dargaville on Tuesday, December 1.

The collaboration between local electricity lines company Northpower, Kaipara District Council and ChargeNet saw another fast charger launched at Kaiwaka on October 30. Fast chargers can charge an EV in 20 to 25 minutes.

The charger is located outside Greg and Paula Jaques' Four Square store.

There were plans to install Type 2 chargers (destination charges) in Mangawhai and Tutukaka before Christmas. These take eight hours for a full charge and are located where EV motorists are not likely to be in a hurry.

This will bring the total number of chargers in Whangarei and Kaipara to 12.

The lines company estimates there are now more than 50 EVs in Northland, mostly in Whangarei, where there is already a fast charger at Alexander St. This was launched in 2014 and was the first fast charger in New Zealand.

Northpower Network Engineering Manager (and EV owner) Russell Watson said the uptake of EVs in Northland was a pleasant surprise.

"Having fast chargers in the region will increase the prevalence of them in the north and it will also bring more EV owners into the region.

"Until this [Kaiwaka] ChargeNet station was constructed, coming to Northland was in the 'too-hard' basket for EV owners because they didn't have the ability to charge quickly and move on," he said.

"In reality, there are charging options all around the North - at B&Bs, campsites and at every home and business. What we are trying to do is make owning and using EVs simple and convenient and that is why Northpower has put in a number of chargers already."

ChargeNet director Steve West said having the company's first fast charger in place was pleasing.

"Northpower and the Kaipara District Council have made the process so easy.

"The sooner we get more fast chargers around the country the sooner we can enable the spread of EVs.

"These vehicles are going to be a game changer for New Zealand by lowering emissions and saving people money," he said.