Farmer Autovillage charges ahead

Farmer Autovillage has installed one of the first 175kW DC fast chargers in the Bay of Plenty.

The high-tech charge station at Farmer Autovillage will be available for 24/7 public use from April 15, free for the first three months of operation then electricity will be priced at 60 cents per kWh.

The EV charger is outside the Farmer Nissan showroom with vehicle access from the corner of Maru Street and Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui.

“We wanted to take a leadership position on EV infrastructure in our city and surrounding areas and this is the first step,” group managing director Mike Farmer says.

“Over the coming years we will see a significant lift in affordable electric vehicles across all segments from all of the brands we currently represent.”

The new charging station is compatible with CCS and Chademo platforms and has been installed with co-funding from the low emission vehicles contestable fund (LEVCF), administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

The capability to charge at up to 175kW can provide substantially faster charging times than the small number of 50kW public EV chargers presently available in the Tauranga and Mt Maunganui area.

“We’re pleased to see a member of the motor vehicle industry taking this positive step,” EECA transport portfolio manager Richard Briggs says.

“This project not only expands the charging options in the Bay of Plenty, it also demonstrates to people in the market for a new car that electric and hybrid vehicles are a great choice. “Knowledgeable, engaged dealers will really make a difference to drive uptake.” 

The new charger is easily activated via the Open Loop app.

During normal business hours the short wait required for vehicles to be fast-charged can be spent inside the award-winning destination dealership at Farmer Autovillage, where a cafe and business lounge is available along with a wide selection new and used vehicles.

The fast-charger installation supports a rapidly expanding choice of full electric and hybrid vehicles available from several of the Farmer Autovillage brands.

The EV entry point is MG’s first electric SUV, the MG ZS EV starting from $49,990 plus on road costs.

The Nissan range includes the new generation Leaf, while Audi boasts an expanding line-up of premium EVs including the flagship Audi e-tron in SUV and Sportback body styles.

Pre-orders are being taken for the new e-tron GT model ahead of its arrival later in 2021.

Meanwhile, Farmer Autovillage has become the new owner of SubLab Whitianga at 6 Abrahamson Drive.

The purchase will include a rebrand to Farmer Autovillage Coromandel while also offering a wider range of servicing options and launching six new vehicle brands which will be available in the region for the first time.

Farmer Autovillage Coromandel will remain committed to Subaru customers as an authorised centre.

Marques represented by Farmer Autovillage in the Coromandel now also include Jeep, RAM, Haval, Great Wall and SEAT – which form part of the 12 international vehicle brands at Farmer Autovillage’s Mt Maunganui headquarters.