EV charger stations ‘could power more than cars’

New Zealand’s electric vehicle charging station network could be used to supply urban and rural New Zealand with renewable power sources, says Pacific Wind generation programme manager Reza Sehdehi.

Sehdehi points out that the 15 fast charging public EV stations (with plans for 85 more by 2017) – which service the country’s approximate 1,220 EVs since April – only cover 37% of the country, leaving out Poverty Bay, the Bay of Plenty and much of the South Island’s West Coast.

New Zealand’s outlying islands, Great Barrier, Stewart Island, and the Chatham Islands are also likely to miss out on public chargers in the near future.

Sehdehi says the construction of fast chargers has been prominent outside these areas due to perceived lack of demand. He advocates that this could be rectified by turning charger stations into a small to medium-sized renewable power facilities instead.

“While EV numbers can take a long time to build up, especially in isolated areas, the demand for affordable electricity is there now,” he says.

“Technologies like INVELOX and solar panel farms are capable of providing that in an affordable and reliable way. The opportunity is there waiting for someone to pick it up.”

He explains that the national grid is groaning under the peaks and troughs of having the majority of power suppliers in the south and the majority of the consumers in the north.

“Imagine a scenario where line rentals can be cut to a fraction of their current rate because communities are largely using power generated right next door at a renewable electric car charger station.”

For further information visit pacificwind.co.nz or for answers to any questions call 09-846 0174 or email info@pacificwind.co.nz.