EV uptake will drive Z Energy charging installations

Z Energy will increase its electric vehicle charging installations as demand rises.

It has eight fast-charging sites in Auckland, Turangi, Wellington and Christchurch.

While Z Energy says it’s ready for a rapid expansion of EVs it’s unsure when the tipping point will come and will expand its charging sites as demand increases, Business Desk reports.

Z Energy sustainability and community manager Gerri Ward says the company has many sites that could have chargers, but it makes little sense installing them in places with few EVs, particularly as EVs will generally be charged at home.

Ward says when the EV tipping point is reached Z Energy will be ready.

It put up $46 million for a 70.1% shareholding in Wellington-based retail electricity supplier Flick Electric in August.

The companies will be focused on maximising the innovation potential of the energy sector as it transitions to a lower carbon future, Z chief executive Mike Bennetts said at the time.

“We are continuously assessing options to invest and extend into adjacencies in one of our three preferred market spaces – future fuels, mobility and the last mile.”