Meridian reaches 500 EV charge point milestone

Meridian says it has reached 500 public EV charge points across New Zealand as it continues expanding its charging network nationwide.

The company says the milestone comes amid growing EV adoption and rising interest in fuel alternatives, with Meridian planning to roll out a further 900 public charge points by 2030.

Meridian head of energy Richard Sandford says the expanding network is helping reduce range anxiety for EV drivers.

“From city centres to regional routes, these charge points are helping more Kiwis drive electric, travel further, and experience less range anxiety,” Sandford says.

Meridian has added 120 charge points since November 1, including 18 opened this month in locations such as Roxburgh, Haast, Mossburn, Dunedin South, Oamaru, Culverden, Rakaia, Rangiora, Punakaiki and Tokoroa.

“We want to build New Zealand’s largest and most-loved EV charging network, and we’re well on the way,” Sandford says.

“We’ve been focused on filling the gaps across New Zealand’s charging network, and over the last 12 months we’ve made massive improvements to the South Island.”

Meridian says future North Island locations are being planned across Manawatū, Hawke’s Bay, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Auckland and Northland, alongside additional South Island sites.

The company says New Zealand currently has around 80 EVs per public charge point compared with a global average of 11 EVs per charge point.

Sandford says interest in EVs has increased amid ongoing uncertainty around global fuel supplies.

According to Meridian’s Zero charging network data, weekly users have increased 75% and app registrations have risen around 70% since December 2025.