Chargemaster powers up

This story first appeared in the september issue of EvTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

A leading advocate of green initiatives throughout New Zealand, Chargemaster is powering up its profile.

When it comes to EV charging and other EV components, the company has the vision of improving energy efficiency across homes and businesses nationwide through renewable and sustainable alternatives.

Through innovation and creative thinking, we aim to lower the costs involved with purchasing electric car charging units, with the intention of helping in New Zealand’s ambitious green energy goals, general manager Frano Covic says.

Chargemaster delivers a broad range of intelligent EV charging systems, just recently teaming up with Bosch to bring out its chargers mainly for home use and with some commercial applications.

The charging solutions we are introducing to the market are fast, reliable, and 100% clean, Covic says.

“We believe that EV charging solutions don’t have to be complicated.At Chargemaster we cut through the ‘tech talk’ and help our customers find solutions that are easy and affordable.”

Climate change is the key focus for Chargemaster, supporting Kiwi non-profit organisation Trees That Count in projects planting native trees throughout the country.

Covic comes to the role with corporate sustainability experience in other fields and has switched from a diesel Toyota Hilux to an electric BMW i3.It’s not just walking the talk but is also saving him about $4800 annually in fuel costs alone.He says his EV also saves him road user charges (RUC), while power for the EV costs only about a third as much per kilometre as buying diesel.The BMW i3 is much quieter too.

“We anticipate that the sale of electrified vehicles is accelerating in the Asia Pacific region, and we are committed to meeting our customers’ needs in re-imagining a future that will have long-term prosperity, in building a business that encompasses attention to such issues as climate change and working towards the country’s goals of zero emissions.”

Chargemaster is part of a long-running family business and was formed as an independently operated company by the founders of Partmaster Automotive, Filip and Steve Covic, who have collectively been involved in the automotive industry for more than 40 years.

The Covic family has been in the automotive industry for 60 years, as Steve and Fillip’s father Tony started Covic Motors in Auckland, which became Partmaster Automotive.

Partmaster is the largest Kiwi-owned automotive parts supplier in the country, specialising in aftermarket car parts servicing for the New Zealand auto-trade market, having many close relationships with aftermarket brands.

This portfolio continues to grow annually as the pair foster new relations through innovation and implementation, continuing to embrace new initiatives.

Frano Covic says the EV charging market is expected to witness significant growth.

“As electric cars are an expensive investment for most people, Chargemaster knows that within the auto industry prices will eventually have to come down as the electric phenomenon catches on.

“We envision a not-to-distant future where we can provide affordable home charging solutions that are hassle free and forward thinking in their performance.”

In this regard, Bosch provides commercial and residential Level 2 charging equipment, as well as low-power Level 3 solutions primarily for fleet and auto dealer use.

Its Level 2 chargers are non-networked while the Level 3 is open charge point protocol (OCCP) network capable.Bosch, a reputable and world-renowned brand, answered all the questions by addressing charging solutions at home, work, and on the road, Covic says.

Depending on the charging station, an app and an RFID card allow customers to find and use all the types of charging stations.

Bosch’s EV charging networks comprise 40,000 charging points throughout Europe, and Covic hopes to replicate a charging network on a scale that’s suitable for the New Zealand market.

“Once the stock has arrived, we’ll be setting up a showroom to showcase these products,” he says.

“It’ll be an interactive exhibition where customers can come and learn about the products while seeing their functionality and viability.”