ChargeNet plans EV charging expansion

New Zealand’s EV charging network provider ChargeNet will install an additional 400 new rapid (50kW) and hyper-rapid (up to 300kW) charging points as it ramps up nationwide expansion to meet future EV technology and customer demand.

These will be installed at locations throughout the country during the next 36 months.

“With the rapid growth of the EV market and the need for great density of EV charging, we recognise the importance of ensuring New Zealand has an extensive charging infrastructure that makes EV charging more convenient, accessible and simpler regardless of where in the country you are,” says ChargeNet chief executive Richard Dellabarca.

“ChargeNet’s mission is to have this infrastructure in place in advance of the imminent growth in New Zealand’s EV fleet.

“In addition to greater network density, ChargeNet also recognises that it is necessary to build EV charging infrastructure that can meet future demands,” he says, adding that those demands include substantially greater charger rates and greater access to charging points.

“ChargeNet has recognised that anything below 50kW charging capacity will not meet today’s EV customer needs. Therefore, we are future-proofing our network by installing 150kW plus hyper-rapid charging hardware nationwide over the next 36 months,” says Dellabarca.

“Our installations to date have largely been single-charger sites which will be insufficient to meet forecast future demand.

“Therefore, we need to build out our existing sites and all new sites with multiple charging points, so drivers don’t have to wait for a charge to meet and exceed customers’ expectations.”

Dellabarca explains that ChargeNet’s goal is to make life easier for customers and remove major barriers for people to switch to EVs, such as range anxiety and the frustration of waiting for a charger due to congestion.

“With our additional sites, EV motorists will now be able to access charging hubs, with many sites capable of charging up to six electric vehicles simultaneously within 15 minutes and offering 400km of range.”

ChargeNet aims to deliver EV charging hubs providing multiple charging points rather than the traditional single-charger sites.

“These new sites will have at least four to six parking bays so drivers can access chargers on arrival, reducing congestion, and increasing vehicle throughput.”

Meanwhile, ChargeNet intends removing six charging stations from Z Energy sites, Dellabarca saying these sites run in partnership with Z Energy would not have met the network requirement.

“Our six-year partnership with Z Energy has been extremely positive and enabled a customer-centric charging solution to be delivered during the early stages of EV adoption,” he adds.

“However, with both parties recognising the need to scale their own charging networks, a mutual decision has been made to end the partnership. Consequently, ChargeNet’s chargers will be removed from Z Energy sites on June 30, 2022, with the Turangi charger being removed three months later on September 30, 2022.

ChargeNet’s EV charging sites to close on June 30 include Z Energy’s Beach Road and Botany Downs in Auckland, Petone and Vivian Street in Wellington, and Moorhouse Ave in Christchurch.

“In addition to our existing EV charging hubs at Bombay, Taupo, and Kaiwaka, more hubs will come online over the next few months,” Dellabarca says.

“Therefore our customers can be confident that the shift from single charger sites will have a minimal, short-term impact on their ability to access a rapid charging site.”

ChargeNet will have information on fast chargers nearest the closing Z Energy ones.

Strategic sites to build EV charging hubs in key locations include Christchurch, Rotorua, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, Queenstown, Whangarei, Bulls, Waikato, and Auckland’s North Shore and CBD.

Dellabarca says ChargeNet is working closely with nationwide retailers, local councils, landowners and partners in other identified areas to plan further, larger sites throughout the country, pointing out ChargeNet’s growth strategy extends to 2025 and beyond.

ChargeNet has built up a network of more than 280 strategically positioned rapid DC charging stations.

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