‘EV friendly’ Central Otago Touring Route opens

Kiwi rally star Hayden Paddon brought his newly unveiled Hyundai EV rally car along to join others in celebrating the opening of the Central Otago Touring Route.

Described as an “electric vehicle friendly” route by the Central Otago District Council, it has a public 50kW DC fast charger added at Omakau and another due to open at Middlemarch shortly which will give ChargeNet NZ 11 EV chargers along the 314km road trip between Queenstown and Dunedin.

The two extra chargers are provided with funding support from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) administered low emission vehicles contestable fund for 50% of the $153,000 project, with ChargeNet partnering to provide the other half.

“The two new rapid chargers will plug the gaps needed along the touring route, linking with, and improving the use of, existing rapid charge infrastructure in Queenstown, Cromwell, Alexandra, Ranfurly and Dunedin, and the rapid charge station in Palmerston,” Tourism Central Otago general manager Dylan Rushbrook says.

“Whereas the route would have only been accessible for longer range EVs, installation at these new locations means we can now market this route as being achievable for electric vehicles with enough charging stations en route to facilitate an anxiety-free electric drive.”

The Central Otago Touring Route has great potential to increase tourism in the region and the installation of the EV stations will now give tourists and residents the opportunity to adopt sustainable low emissions transport options while exploring the regions, Central Otago District Council chief executive Sanchia Jacobs says.

“While waiting for their vehicles to charge, visitors will spend more time in towns along the touring route, which will also undoubtedly benefit businesses within these areas. The installation of these EV stations will also assist council staff in using our own hybrid fleet vehicles more.”

Central Otago mayor Tim Cadogan drives a hybrid and is delighted the EV friendly route has the charging infrastructure.

Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins says the extra chargers plug key gaps in the network, supporting the increasing number of drivers choosing to go electric.

The NZ Transport Agency gave official approval for the Central Otago Touring Route in October.