Z Energy to extend EV charging network

Z Energy has opened five new EV chargers before Christmas – and is committed to installing more across at least 40% of its network by 2025.

Each new EV charger will have dual capacity to charge at least two vehicles at once, in some cases more.

“We are working at pace to ensure we can support EV drivers on-the-go and are on track to have the capacity to charge more than 40 EVs across our network simultaneously by March next year,” says Z chief executive Mike Bennetts.

“By the end of 2023 we plan to have EV charging available at one in five of our Z sites. Within three years, we plan this to increase to see EV chargers show up at two in five Z sites.”

Bennetts says electrification of light passenger transport is occurring at a pace which supports scaling up Z’s charging network.

The five new EV charging sites at Z Remutaka and Z Petone in the Wellington region along with Z Moorhouse Ave in Christchurch, Z Rotokauri in Hamilton and Z Botany in Auckland.

Z is ensuring a variety of chargers are installed, with a range of kW speeds, to meet the varying needs of customers’ vehicles.

“While our aim is to provide quick top ups for our customers on-the go, we want to be able to serve all EV drivers, regardless of whether they drive a Nissan Leaf or a Tesla Model 3,” Bennetts explains.

“We are working quickly on this rollout so that means we will make enhancements to the charging experience along the way – listening to what our customers’ needs are and thinking about how best we can meet these.

“Z acknowledges that most EV charging will be done at home, and we are thinking hard about how we can support our customers wherever they choose to charge,” he adds.

“We’re also looking beyond the Z network to include destination sites that meet other customer out-of-home charging needs, such as at shopping malls, gyms and cinemas.”

Z has been using ABB EV charging technology.

Meanwhile, Z has also changed its payment structure and is moving towards “pay-as-you-go”.