Street charging trial for Wellington

A trial of up to 50 electric vehicles on-street charging points for residents who cannot charge up at home is planned in Wellington.

About one in four Wellington residents cannot charge at home, which limits the adoption of electric vehicles in the capital.

On-street residential charging has not been tried anywhere else in New Zealand, so this project will help show how an initiative like this can work, the Wellington City Council says.

“We’ll deliver up to 25 medium-speed charge stations in residential areas, with each site able to charge two cars at once. We expect the sites will be attached to an existing electricity street pole.”

Chargers are expected to be installed throughout 2018 and into early 2019.

Progress will be based on demand, the time it takes to evaluate and agree car park locations, and the installation process, the council says.

Users will pay for electricity, with project partners covering the cost of installation.

Residents can apply now to be considered for the trial.

To be eligible, residents must live within the council boundary and demonstrate they have no off-street parking.

It’s possible the council will ask applicants to complete and sign a form, and provide evidence of buying or having an electric car.

If applications exceed the trial amount then a waiting list will be prepared with applicants contacted if the trial is expanded.

Drivers provide their own charging cable.

Installation costs for trial are paid jointly by the council, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), Charge Net NZ, and Wellington Electricity.

Email ElectricVehicles@wcc.govt.nz

with details such as name, phone, address (or where you hope to park).