More Kapiti-Horowhenua EV charging stations on way

The first of six more electric vehicle (EV) fast charging stations spanning the Kapiti and Horowhenua regions has opened at Pak‘nSave Kapiti.

Kapiti Coast District mayor K “Guru” Gurunathan officially plugged in the new charger in on November 13.

He says the network is crucial to give confidence and awareness to local fleets and families to switch their cars to electric.

Others are opening in coming months at Paekakariki, Raumati Beach, Waikanae Beach, Foxton and Shannon.

The network expansion is a result of a partnership involving Foodstuffs, ChargeNet NZ, electricity distribution company Electra, the Kapiti Coast and Horowhenua district councils, and the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

Existing chargers in Otaki and Levin are used on a daily basis, and the Kapiti-Horowhenua project will add key infrastructure to the expanding charging network north of Wellington.

“The whole project is a great example of how a collaborative approach can achieve significant progress,” ChargeNet NZ chief executive officer Steve West says.

ChargeNet NZ now has more than 115 operating charging stations, and by the end of 2018 over 50 New World, Pak’nSave and Four Square stores around the country will have EV charging stations.

Pak’nSave Kapiti has long had a focus on sustainability and has had a fully electric delivery van for a year,” owner-operator Karl Marryatt says.

Electra Lines Business general manager Max Feickert says; “The development of EV charging infrastructure is an exciting additional use of electricity as a transport fuel and is part of wave of technology developments that are providing customers more choices. Electra is adopting EVs across its fleet uses, with a car, a van for gear transport and an all-wheel drive SUV for tree surveying.”

Coastlands Mall Centre manager Jan Forrest says five million people visit each year, the charger providing a public showcase for the technology.