Counties Power adding more fast chargers

Counties Power will install more fast chargers after gaining part funding for two.

Adding to the three the company has in place already will be fast chargers in Paerata Rise and Pokeno.

This follows $42,500 funding from the Government’s low emission vehicles contestable fund towards a 24/7 public 50kW fast charger at Pokeno at the State Highways 1 and 2 junction in the Auckland region, and $35,690 for another in Paerata Rise in Pukekohe near a café on a busy through road.

“We’re investing in supporting infrastructure to promote and increase the use of electric vehicles locally,” Counties Power chief executive Judy Nicholl says.

“Electric vehicle use is growing exponentially both nationally and internationally and we’re committed to ensuring our locals and visitors have the ability to charge their vehicles throughout our region.”

The combined $78,000 in grants from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) administered fund helps subsidise the charger build cost.

“These chargers are a significant investment, however one that is instrumental to ensuring we future-proof our network and the rise in electric vehicle use,” Nicholl says.

Using an EV is the most effective way a household can reduce its carbon dioxide emissions and help reduce global warming as about 85% of New Zealand’s electricity generation is renewable, a percentage that will increase over time, the company adds.

Counties Power already offers fast charging stations for the public in a car park off Tobin Lane in Pukekohe’s CBD, at the company’s Glasgow Rd, Pukekohe site and at the Waiuku Agriculture and Machinery Museum.

An early EV adopter, Counties Power has run a fleet of three EVs since 2013.