ChargeNet opens New Zealand’s largest EV charging hub at Tauranga Crossing

ChargeNet, Aotearoa New Zealand’s nationwide EV charging network, is switching on New Zealand’s largest-ever EV charging hub at Tauranga Crossing in Tauranga today.

The $1.8 million charging hub can charge up to 10 vehicles simultaneously – more than any other charging hub in New Zealand – and can add up to 300 km of range within 20 minutes, enough to power most EV journeys to Auckland or to Hamilton and back. The hub is designed to meet the growing demand for EV charging with its installed capacity.

ChargeNet chief executive Danusia Wypych says Tauranga Crossing is ideally located according to their data and offers solid amenities.

“Tauranga Crossing is a point of convergence for the Bay of Plenty, hosting approximately 26,000 vehicles per day on average,” Wypych says. “This strategic location is expected to significantly enhance charging accessibility, especially given it provides two ‘pull-through’ charging bays that cater to electric vehicles towing trailers, campervans, and small electric trucks.”

Wypych acknowledges that the current slowdown in electric vehicle sales is temporary, and new infrastructure investment must continue.

“The Government’s goal to build 10,000 public electric vehicle fast chargers by 2030 is the most tangible action they’ve taken to meet our decarbonisation goals,” she says. “EV sales in New Zealand have moved beyond the tipping point at which uptake is exponential. A temporary slowdown in EV sales from recent changes in policy direction was predicted and will be short-term.

“It has been a tough year for many New Zealanders and businesses, but market research shows many still have their eye on how they can take advantage of an EV in their day-to-day life.

“Building such significant capability at Tauranga Crossing reflects the fact that EVs continue to be an attractive proposition for all New Zealand drivers, from an economic perspective as well as reduced emissions. By providing more ChargeNet chargers at locations where drivers need them, we’re building confidence in the network for everyday EV drivers and helping to get more Kiwi drivers into EVs by building their trust that the EV-charging network can support them,” says Wypych.

The challenge, says Wypych, is for public charging infrastructure to support the increasing uptake of EVs.

“We are already well behind the pace, and we need to catch up quickly. Our ratio of public chargers per EV is the lowest in the OECD. Enabling investors in EV chargers to connect to the country’s 28 local electricity networks quickly and on effective terms is essential for getting more EV chargers on the ground at the pace we need to.

“We’re waiting to hear more detail on how the Government will use its learning from the Ultra Fast Broadband model to partner with private capital. The effectiveness of the model was based on partnering with businesses and sharing the risk around the future of utilisation,” she says.

The new charging hub is jointly funded by ChargeNet and EECA, with co-funding from EECA’s Low Emission Transport Fund (LETF).

EECA General Manager of Delivery & Partnerships Richard Briggs says the site is a milestone in the development of the public charging network.

“Tauranga Crossing is the first hub we have supported to go live, with more due to come online in the coming months. Having more chargers in key places means less anxiety about queuing for drivers and more options for charging up on longer journeys or when out and about locally.”

The charging hub is powered by ChargeNet’s electricity partner, Ecotricity.

Gallery images courtesy ChargeNet and Gavin Shoebridge: