More public EV charging at The Warehouse

The Warehouse Group (TWG) is increasing free public access to EV rapid charging with the expansion and upgrade of its charging station infrastructure, now at 28 stores nationwide.

Thirteen of the sites have been upgraded to 25kW DC rapid chargers.

“Providing greater access to rapid chargers for EV users not only removes a key barrier to greater EV adoption, but also contributes to New Zealand’s progress in establishing a decarbonised economy,” TWG chief sustainability officer David Benattar says.

Benattar says the expansion is another step in the group’s EV commitment which is an integral part of its broader sustainability programme and action on climate change in New Zealand.

The EV rapid charging expansion has been enabled by a $265,000 grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The grant was one of 21 projects out of 71 eligible proposals approved by the EECA board for funding last year.

Additional charging stations have been installed at The Warehouse Kaitaia and Waipapa, and a charging station will be installed at The Warehouse Greymouth next month.

Currently, 59% of TWG’s passenger fleet is EV, with plans to transition 100% to electric within the next 24 months. Earlier this month, four custom EV trucks were introduced to service home deliveries.

As part of the EV rapid charging expansion project, TWG has partnered with ChargeNet NZ which is supplying the software for the charging installation and YHI Energy which has supplied the Delta 25kW DC Wallbox Chargers.

“We are proud to partner with The Warehouse Group, it helps break down the perceived barriers of EVs by having rapid charging options available where people shop,” YHI Energy divisional manager Aaron Gillon says.

“It is great to have The Warehouse Group as a partner who is willing to embrace green technology solutions for themselves and the communities they support.”

ChargeNet chief executive Steve West says that by welcoming The Warehouse chargers onto the ChargeNet network together they are making it easier than ever for Kiwis to access rapid charging infrastructure at convenient locations across New Zealand.