More rapid charging stations at Z

Three more rapid-charge electric vehicle (EV) charging stations will be installed by the end of April.

The new charging stations, supplied by ChargeNet NZ, will shortly join the other six rapid-charge stations Z Energy has installed for public use in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

The new charging stations in Warkworth, Turangi and Taupo at Z Tauhara, have been selected to help plug gaps in New Zealand’s network of electric highways.

The stations provide more charging options outside the main centres, Z Energy sustainability manager Jonathan Hill says.

“Having more charging stations will make an electric vehicle a more appealing option for people, by stopping them worrying they’ll get stuck without power,” Hill says.

A 25 minute charge will “fill up” an entry level electric vehicle like a Leaf and allow customers to travel about 120km..

Last year, people charging up at Z saved an estimated 20 tonnes of CO2, the equivalent of a medium sized petrol car taking more than 130 trips from Auckland to Wellington.

ChargeNet chief executive Steve West says Z’s new strategically placed charging stations will help in his mission to make it possible to drive an EV from Auckland to Wellington by the end of next year without any range anxiety.

“At this rate we will soon have charging stations every 40-80kms on the main highway.”