Thames gets Coromandel on EV fast track

Thames Library might be getting some of the fastest EV chargers in the country – but they’re still not quick enough to match the zero emission enthusiasm from the Thames Community Board.

Electric vehicle users wanting a high-voltage top up will soon be able to plug in to private infrastructure specialist ChargeNet’s Fast DC chargers – proudly proclaimed, in a press alert from the board this morning.

Two existing car parks have been reserved for EV charging – once the chargers have been installed. Two signs will also be installed, “letting people know they are only for electric vehicles.”

EV and plug-in hybrid users will only need 10-25 to get their zap but council has kept the charging bays – once the chargers have been installed – to the same two-hour parking limits as the rest of the car park.

Two of the existing car parks at the Thames Library will become reserved for charging electric vehicles once the charger is installed. Signs will be installed letting people know they are only for electric vehicles.

“They’ll be able to leave their cars to charge while enjoying a coffee or a bit of shopping in Thames,” said Thames Community Board Chair Strat Peters.

Transition Town Thames’ spokesman John J Leenman is also fully supportive of the EV initiative.

“We see electric vehicles as part of an overall move toward local sustainability,” said Leenman.

“We’re supporting the rollout of infrastructure to support the use of electric vehicles.”

The nearest fast chargers are at the Auckland Airport and in Hamilton and Tauranga. A half hour fast charge at the Thames Library car park will cost drivers about $10 using Charge Net’s RFID keyring.

Charge Net NZ has recently become the first official Plugshare network outside of the US, and plugshare.com

also lists seven other (EV) charge points on the Coromandel, including the first commercial charge point at the Kopu Cafe, with others installed at motels and campgrounds.