Government approves $52m in funding for 2500 new EV chargers

Amid the endless stories about the price of petrol rising, the Government has announced that it plans to double the number of electric vehicle charging stations around the country by way of $52.7m in zero-interest loans.

The plan is in conjunction with ChargeNet and Meridian, with the two companies taking the Government funding and turning it into a planned 2574 new charging stations around the country — 1374 DC fast chargers that will cater to the majority of EVs, and 1200 AC chargers that will cater to older EVs and PHEVs that don’t have fast charging.

Transport minister Chris Bishop says that the country’s lack of public charging facilities is one of the biggest barriers to EV ownership.

“Many New Zealanders have thought about getting an EV, even before the fuel challenges we’re currently facing. But research shows that the lack of public chargers is holding many back from making the switch to an EV,” said Bishop.

Bishop reiterated the National Government’s previous pledge to build 10,000 EV chargers by the end of the decade — a figure that the government’s critics have said it is unlikely to achieve. 

“New Zealand currently has a bit over 1800 public charge points, which is among the lowest charger-to-EV ratios in the OECD. Another 161 charge points are also in progress,” said Bishop.

“Combined with the investment being announced today, the national total will be around 4550. The Government is working towards 10,000 charge points by 2030, roughly one for every 40 EVs.

“The private sector is reluctant to invest in charging infrastructure until there's sufficient demand, but demand won't grow until the lack of public chargers stops putting buyers off.”

Demand for EVs in the face of petrol prices that, in some locations around the country, have exceeded $4.00 per litre, appears to be growing. The likes of BYD have reported an increase in customers in recent weeks, including 80 plug-in sales in a single day. 

The country’s largest motoring classifieds website, Trade Me, reported recently that searches for electric vehicles had risen by 142% in the first half of March, from 50,000 to 125,000 searches.