Wellington adds seven supermarket EV stations
Perhaps a new slogan awaits Wellington now that seven EV fast charging stations are switching on at Foodstuffs supermarkets there.
EV owners gathered at Pak’nSave Petone on Sunday to help Hutt City Council chief executive officer Jo Millar celebrate the opening of a charger, with the supermarket’s own electric Nissan e-NV200 delivery van displayed.
It’s among seven Pak’nSave and New World stores to get chargers turned on this month.
Foodstuffs sustainability manager Mike Sammons, left, and Leo O’Sullivan
The others are Pak’nSave Kilbirnie and New World supermarkets at Island Bay, Karori, Silverstream, Paramata and Churton Park.
The seven locations were chosen to provide wide geographic coverage and are the result of strong collaboration between ChargeNet NZ (installation and operation), Foodstuffs, the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Wellington Electricity, the latter two contributing to costs.
The new sites join more than 70 Foodstuffs supermarket locations from Bluff to Kaitaia which will have EV charging stations up and running this year.
“We’re excited about the new fast charging stations as these help our community and businesses to drop fossil fuel in favour of clean New Zealand electricity,” Hutt City Council sustainability and resilience manager Jörn Scherzer says.
“This helps us to reach a zero carbon goal and tackle climate change.”
More than 16,000 EVs are registered in New Zealand, accounting for 2% of monthly car sales, and this figure is on the rise.
”These locations add lots of convenient options for locals and visitors all over Wellington, which is a crown jewel in terms of charger usage and home to one of the most enthusiastic EV communities,” ChargeNet NZ chief executive officer Steve West says.
Foodstuffs also has a large fleet of 28 electric delivery vans nationwide, is deploying three electric logistics trucks, and has a goal for most of its light vehicle fleet to be electric by 2025.
“We’re helping to promote the future of transport in a high profile locations across the country, and giving electric vehicle owners a convenient place to recharge while they shop,” Pak’nSave Petone owner Leo O’Sullivan says.
EV owners spend an average 10 to 30 minutes at a fast charging station.
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