NZTA issues charging standard recommendations

The NZ Transport Agency has issued its recommendations for charging plug standards – recommending we shift to a European-style system where cars carry their own leads.

The agency is recommending the market moves away from the currently common practice of a tethered Type 1 fast charging plug, recommending these be replaced with a Type 2 outlet socket.

That would mean drivers would carry there own lead for Type 2 to the plug on the vehicle – allowing the facilitation of both Type 1 and Type 2 at charging stations.

For fast charging, it is recommending two leads are tethered, a Chademo connector, and a CCS Type 2 connector, as opposed to the CCS Type 1 currently in place at most DC charging facilities.

Operator Charge Net has already confirmed its charging facilities will be switching to CCS Type 2, in line with its deal announced this week to operate BMW’s ChargeNow system. Incoming BMW i3s use the standard.

It is also recommended that an additional Type 2 socket outlet is provided at the charging station, for relatively fast AC charging for selected vehicles such as the Renault Zoe.

The plans issued are a recommendation, and not a standard. They can be found here.

Transport minister Simon Bridges sdeveloping guidelines for the installation of public charging infrastructure is one of the 14 initiatives the Government announced in May as part of its Electric Vehicles Programme.

“I have asked my agencies to support councils and the private sector in developing public charging infrastructure by providing clear and accessible guidance and information around the infrastructure, and by clarifying the regulatory framework. I expect to make an announcement about this soon,” Bridges said.