Coromandel gets EV scenic loop

New Zealand’s ‘greenest’ region just got greener.

On December 9 Coromandel celebrates the opening of a ‘scenic touring loop’ for electric vehicles, consisting of five fast charge stations that link up the whole peninsula.

Providing a charge up in 20 minutes, they have been installed at Thames, Tairua, Whitianga, Coromandel Town and Whangamata.
That’s thanks to a collaboration of the Thames-Coromandel District Council, Powerco, ChargeNet NZ and the Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA).

The latest to open is in Coromandel Town, while the Whangamata charger is due to go live next week.

An official opening is at the Coromandel Town charger tomorrow in the Woollams Avenue car park at midday. Participating EVs then take part in the Coromandel Town Christmas Parade through the town centre at 2pm. These include two Teslas, a BMW and Volkswagen e-Golf.

The loop will provide an important network as the Coromandel is a popular holiday destination, Powerco chief executive Nigel Barbour says.

“EVs are undoubtedly the future of domestic transport in New Zealand – they are cheaper, cleaner and quieter to run,” he says.

“We also know that the people who live in the Coromandel are passionate about preserving its natural beauty. We hope the loop will give locals and visitors alike the confidence to travel around the region by EV, helping safeguard the environment for generations to come.”

Thames-Coromandel District mayor Sandra Goudie says the loop is “fantastic” for the region.

ChargeNet NZ chief executive officer Steve West says the Coromandel loop will open up the region to entry level EV travel.

“Extending the Coromandel offering is an important step in bolstering our ever-growing nationwide network of fast chargers and will be a game changer for both local and visiting electric vehicle owners.

“We’re delighted to have worked alongside Thames-Coromandel District Council, Powerco, and local EV enthusiast John Leenman to be able to get the Coromandel EV Scenic Touring Route available for carefree EV travel for the summer ahead.”

The user-pays fast DC charger units provide an 80% charge in 10 to 25 minutes and can be accessed via an RFID card, which drivers tap against the charging unit to activate, or through a smart phone app.