‘The conversation around EVs beginning to flip’ says power firm

As electric vehicles continue to experience a local boom, one of the country’s leading power providers and an emerging player in public EV chargers, Meridian Energy, has released numerous stats that help paint a picture of local growth.

The company reports that it has seen a 30% increase in use of its network of public chargers in the last month, as well as a 20% rise in charging sessions. 

“Concerns once centred on charging availability, affordability and range anxiety, but those issues are being addressed and now it’s the reliability of petrol supply that’s being questioned,” said Meridian principal product manager Tim Calder.

“New Zealand is blessed with fantastic renewable energy resources – making electricity an abundant fuel for helping people get from A to B. With more chargers than ever before, more range, and much more awareness, many people are now appreciating that an EV may be perfect for their needs.”

Meridian’s EV charging app, Zero, features more than 400 charge points across the country. It has attracted more than 10,000 downloads over its lifetime. For reference, New Zealand’s leading charging firm, ChargeNet, features 520 fast charging points and more than 50,000 downloads to date.

Meridian says it aims to build another 900 fast-charge points in the next three years. 

“The conversation around EVs is beginning to flip. For EV owners who do their charging at home, a typical overnight charge costs just a few dollars. Even when road user charges are factored in, EVs are significantly cheaper to run than petrol vehicles for most drivers, alongside lower servicing and maintenance costs,” Calder added.

“We know a new EV may be beyond the means of many people, but there are lots of affordable options out there in the market. Just like petrol or diesel vehicles, there are plenty of second-hand options to suit different budgets. 

“EVs are better for your wallet, better for the environment, better performance and better for fuel security.”

Calder’s comments follow a stunning month of EV registrations in March. A total of 2422 new BEV registrations represented a 380% increase in year-on-year registrations for the segment. The plug-in hybrid market also saw a generous lift, with 1439 registrations in March signalling a 300% year-on-year increase. 

Similar sales figures are expected to come in April, as brands that ran out of stock in March receive shipments of new stock.