First fast charger in Queenstown opens

Queenstown has opened its first electric vehicle (EV) fast charger.

Energy and resources minister Megan Woods did the honours on May 29 at Pak’nSave Frankton.

It’s just in time for winter travelers making the most of the ski-fields and other tourist attractions.

The DC fast charger, installed and managed by ChargeNet NZ and supported by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) low emission vehicles contestable fund, allows drivers to recharge while they do their shopping.

It’s one of 50 EV chargers to be installed at FoodStuffs’ supermarkets.

The charger is the 76th by ChargeNet as part of an “electric highway” stretching from the far north to the deep south which will have 105 chargers operating by year end.

“The collaborative partnership between ChargeNet, FoodStuffs and EECA is an example of a public-private partnership with a shared goal of encouraging faster EV uptake to reduce our carbon emissions and imported fossil fuel bills,” ChargeNet chief executive officer Steve West says.

“The Frankton charger is one of at least three to be installed in Queenstown and forms a significant part of the nationwide electric highway that we’re building and funding along the major tourist routes and highways of New Zealand.”

Recharging at Frankton takes about 20 to 40 minutes at an average cost of around $7.