Palmerston North charger pushed outside The Square

Palmerston North City Council yesterday ruled out an offer for an electric vehicle fast charger to be installed in ‘The Square’.

While it ruled out the charger being installed in the four-sided park in the centre of the city, it is hoping an offer of an alternative location will be accepted.

According to Stuff.co.nz lines-company Powerco and Charge Net NZ made the offer, with the charger to be installed in the car park near the Cenotaph, using power from the transformer at the base of the clocktower.

Councillors decided The Square was not the place for a commercial venture at a peppercorn rental, but supported an alternative, to offer the use of street parks at the edge of The Square.

Mayor Grant Smith said the offer from Powerco and ChargeNet was a good deal for the council, and he favoured the high profile site, warning the compromise could see Palmerston North miss out on the opportunity to showcase the technology.

“I have a fear that we are putting too many conditions on them, that we are making it too hard, and that they will tell us to go and jump.”

It was noted by council staff that having the charger in the middle of the square meant it would not be available during major community events, and the carpark was not open 24 hours a day.

Charge proponent Sue Pugmire, who is co-ordinating the Palmerston North section of the Leading the Charge electric vehicle rally, told Stuff.co.nz

she was surprised by the council’s decision, but she did not think moving to the edge of The Square would scuttle the offer.