Z installs first of its fast chargers

Z Energy has opening the first fast charge electric vehicle charging stations at service stations in Wellington – as it rolls out paid charging at a number of its stations.

The Z Vivian Street charging station was officially opened late last week by Wellington Mayor, Celia Wade-Brown.

The listed fuel-retailer is launching six rapid-charge electric vehicle charging stations at sites in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch over the coming weeks in partnership with Charge Net NZ.

The Tritium fast chargers draw up to 400 volts of electricity and can charge a standard electric vehicle in the time it takes a customer to buy and drink a cup of coffee.

Z sustainability manager, Gerri Ward, says the move was part of Z’s continued commitment to moving from being a part of the climate change problem to the heart of the solution.

“We’re not an oil company, we’re a transport energy company and we’re committed to meeting the needs of our customers, whatever they might be,” Ward says.

“We also want to be at the front of the push towards a cleaner, more sustainable New Zealand and to give Kiwis choices to use more renewable fuels.”

The electric charging stations will cost approximately $5 – $10 for the vast majority of users (i.e. a Nissan Leaf) to fill up, and the charge time from empty will be approximately 10 – 25 minutes, as opposed to up to eight hours for a conventional slow charge.

“These stations provide another option to keep our customers moving regardless of the vehicle they drive or the fuel they need,” says Ward.

Charge Net chief executive Steve West has found working with Z Energy to be a great experience, and is pleased to see brand charging into the future.

“Z Energy is a great company to work and collaborate with. We are excited to see these stations go live,” he says.