Z Energy and Red Phase plan on-the-go EV charging

Z Energy is partnering with Kiwi tech company Red Phase Technologies to bring new ultra-fast EV chargers to the forecourt, aiming to make EV fast charging capacity quicker. 

Two Red Phase EV chargers, each capable of up to 200kW, are being piloted at Z Waiouru with the support of the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and Powerco.

Red Phase is making innovative technology that helps chargers use power more efficiently and lessen the strain on the power grid while reducing charging cost.

Z is already rapidly building a network of on-the-go, work and home EV charging infrastructure across Aotearoa, says Z’s EV charging head Kieran Turner.
“We’re leveraging our existing well-established Z service station sites and plan to have EV chargers at 20% of these sites by the end of this year.

“We’re also about to launch a home electricity offer targeted specifically for EV drivers and work with our business customers on tailor-made charging solutions,” says Turner.

“Red Phase offers a solution that is unique to the New Zealand market and will enable us to roll out high-powered multi-bay sites avoiding costly network upgrades that can add significant time to the installation of EV infrastructure.

“This technology enables us to overcome one of the greatest barriers we face as a charging provider scaling up its EV infrastructure for customers across the country and means we could offer fast charging at sites sooner than we currently have planned,” he adds.

“This pilot will ensure we can test and enhance the technology before rolling it out to other Z sites across the country.”

Z Energy says the Red Phase chargers may have to come offline for any changes during the trial but Z Waiouru has two additional EV charging bays not linked to the pilot.

The pilot will continue through September, at which time an additional two Red Phase chargers will be installed to add more capacity to the site.

Red Phase chief technology officer Dr Robert Turner says the company has built new tech that improves the power grid.

“This is a hard problem to solve, but we’re making breakthroughs at record speed.”

Red Phase, established in 2021 in Turner’s garage, has deep roots in expert engineering.

Alongside fellow founders Dustin Murdock and Mike Lazelle, Turner says; “Together, we’re tackling the challenges of ultra-fast charging for electric vehicles on our power grids.

“The current power grids are feeling the strain of rapid EV charging.

“Joining with Z to integrate our groundbreaking technology is a milestone.

Teaming up with Z, Powerco, and EECA is a game-changer for New Zealand’s EV scene, says Red Phase chief executive Dustin Murdock.

He says Red Phase’s tech is set to revolutionise how cars are charged in NZ.

“This is going to help with the adoption of EVs.”