One card to charge them all?

Drive Electric chair Mark Gilbert tends to use his credit card to pay for EV charging.

He has an Audi e-tron and when travelling uses mainly ChargeNet EV chargers which require a radio-frequency identification (RFID) card without the need to use an app, and charges straight through to his credit card.

Gilbert says his credit card is linked to all charging suppliers to pay for EV charging and he doesn’t have any major issues with it so long as the charger is working.

As other EV charging operations are set up in New Zealand, Gilbert expects more payment options will soon come, with the hope that eventually one payment card can be used – much like Auckland public transport’s HOP card.

He doubts EV charging payment is much different from what Kiwi motorists have been used to at service stations, except cash can’t be used.

“What is different is that there are no shops, cover or toilets,” Gilbert adds.

“Good to see BP and Z Energy rolling out charging stations at their service stations where you can get a coffee or use the loo.”

GenLess has more about EV charging, saying the preferred way among EV owners (about 82%) is to charge off-peak at home (at the equivalent cost of about 40 cents a litre).

It features tips and videos from Kiwi rally driver Hayden Paddon, who also runs a Hyundai Kona-based EV rally car.

Meanwhile, Drive Electric’s website has plenty of EV information as well, including what EV models are available, their specifications, charging, and more.

Gilbert says Drive Electric’s website visitor numbers have been “incredible”.

So he doubts the need here for an “EV Index” launched by the Australian Automobile Association to help Australians.

EVs and charging are also covered by many New Zealand agencies, such as Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, Meridian Energy, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), the Better NZ Trust, and others.

EVs and Beyond also has a comprehensive list in its monthly magazines.