New EV fast charger adds to TLC network

The Lines Company’s (TLC) latest EV charging station in Ohakune will see drivers benefit from faster charge times.

The new Ohakune unit is the second of three 50kW fast chargers being installed by TLC – the first in Otorohanga late last year, with the third due to be commissioned in Taumarunui in April.

The Ohakune EV charger is at the i-SITE visitor parking off Mangateitei Terrace, the latest addition to TLC’s fleet of EV chargers at hotels and motels across the network for EV drivers in the Ruapehu District and beyond.

TLC has now installed 44 EV charging units across its network region with co-funding from the Government’s low emission vehicles contestable fund administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).

“We’re seeing more and more electric vehicles on our roads, throughout the region,” TLC network general manager Mike Fox says, adding there’s growing demand for EVs and supporting charging stations.

“Like EV drivers, we are big fans of this new technology and we’re putting EV’s into our fleet wherever possible,” Fox says.

“We’re well down the track of building an EV friendly network with the furthest travelling distance between chargers now only 70km.”

Customers can expect an 80% charge to take only 15 to 25 minutes at the 50kW fast chargers, depending on battery level and the vehicle make.

“More and more visitors to Ohakune and Ruapehu are arriving by electric vehicle,” Ruapehu mayor Don Cameron says.

TLC’s new Ohakune charger features the OpenLoop mobile app payment facility and is available for use now.