Two charging stations for Queenstown CBD

Queenstown’s Athol Street carpark will soon be home to two electric vehicle charging stations.

Once installed, the fast charging stations will charge EVs in 20-40 minutes, not leaving drivers and passengers waiting too long but giving them ample time to have a coffee and do some shopping.

Queenstown Lakes District Council property and infrastructure general manager Peter Hansby says it is important that the number of people owning and hiring EVs is growing.

“If you’re choosing to drive, an EV is a much more environmentally friendly option and a very effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Hansby says.

“Adapting to emerging technologies and promoting behaviour change is a big part of our transport strategy for the district. We’ve already successfully introduced EV charging stations in Wanaka, and we hope they’ll be a welcome addition to our carpark offering in the Queenstown town centre too.”

The Council approved the space for a charging station in November 2017.

Only two spaces are available at this stage, but Hansby says if there is future demand, more charging stations will be provided.

Work to install the charging stations began on October 8 and will take around 10 days.

When complete, only EVs will be allowed to use the market spaces. Other vehicles will be ticketed.

An EV fast charging station will also be installed in Glenorchy.