EV charging platform and app launched

Driving and charging EVs between Auckland and the Waikato just became easier.

A new service, OpenLoop, has been launched by Counties Power and WEL Networks and is due to start June 17.

It offers an open EV charging platform and app that enables a seamless recharging experience across various EV charging locations.

The neighbouring electricity distributors will each offer OpenLoop across their regions with an initial 40 chargers in Southern Auckland and the Waikato.

While both companies are leading the way with the adoption of this new technology, it is also available to all other network companies and EV drivers.

The network providers’ aim is to improve energy affordability, ease of use and environmental sustainability through the new service.

The initiative is a strong example of the network sector promoting the environment and providing leading edge technology to prepare distribution networks for electric transport through smarter energy management.

Counties Power chief executive Judy Nicholl says the initiative demonstrates how electricity distribution companies can pave the way for the electricity industry and ultimately unlock greater benefits for consumers.

“We’re excited that along with WEL Networks we can offer a seamless, customer-centric EV charging service for our regions that will benefit EV drivers and EV charger owners,” she says.

“With this approach, we’re able to offer EV users a simpler, better way to incorporate EV charging into their lives, promote greater uptake of EVs responsibly and develop standards for smarter electricity distribution and flexible energy management – benefiting end-consumers, the environment and New Zealand at large.”

Nicholl says great service and innovative pricing models will ensure a fair and transparent charging process that encourages greater use of EVs.

“With plans to add more EV chargers, the OpenLoop platform will allow an open, cost effective billing system for other electricity distribution businesses (EDBs) and EV charger owners who would like to generate greater value through the growing ecosystem.”

WEL Networks chief executive Garth Dibley says the initiative provides it with the ability to offer the region a superior service.

“As a consumer-owned EDB, OpenLoop presents an opportunity to deliver charging cost effectively to EV users, while also creating sustainability outcomes which benefit our community,” he says.

“At WEL Networks we have a large portfolio of chargers and the OpenLoop platform is a tech-savvy cloud-based solution for managing them but, more importantly, it’s extremely user-friendly for the customer.”

Dibley says WEL Networks look forward to piloting the project among more than 700 EV owners.

Discussions are underway with network companies around the country to launch their own customer focussed EV charging service via OpenLoop within their regions.

OpenLoop app users will have a live view of available EV charging stations nearby, be able to pay for EV charger use and keep track of EV charging history via the app.

It is a service developed by Wellington-based ECL Group, and OpenLoop partners include EVNEX, ABB and Tritium.

The free OpenLoop app is available via app stores.

Visit www.openloop.co.nz for more information.