Fast charger at Hampton Downs

The Hampton Downs motorsport complex between Auckland and Hamilton now has a fast charger.

That takes WEL Networks’ tally of EV fast chargers in the Waikato to six.

The new EV fast charger is the first of its kind at the popular motorsport complex and is in the Gate 1 carpark.

It was an easy decision to partner with WEL Networks to install the charger, Hampton Downs track manager Elton Goonan says.

“There’s an increasing focus on making better and greener choices available to New Zealand drivers and we felt that as a venue we needed to be part of that movement…providing that service to not only our track customers and manufacturers, but also to passing traffic,” he says.

“There has been a great level of interest from our manufacture-based clients who increasingly want to show off the latest technology in their products. It will not only allow them to demonstrate the EV technology in the normal context of road driving, but also show off the performance levels of the technology by making use of the tracks here at Hampton Downs.”

Goonan predicts interest in EVs will continue to rise as awareness grows through high-profile international events such as Formula E.

WEL Networks asset management general manager Paul Blue agrees EVs popularity is increasing.

“Hampton Downs is a thriving spot within the Waikato and we’re thrilled to have this opportunity to promote EVs within the complex. We believe we’ll be able to tap into a captive audience who will be interested in and benefit from this technology.

“It’s also conveniently located for the increasing number of EV travellers between Hamilton and Auckland.”

WEL Networks has previously installed fast chargers at Maui Street, Caro Street and Waikato Innovation Park in Hamilton, as well as on Wayside Road in Te Kauwhata and Bow Street in Raglan.

The chargers are free and allow people to charge their EVs to 80% battery capacity in around 20 minutes.