Breakthrough for electric vehicle drivers

UPDATE: A number of readers asked how much it would cost per electric car charge.

A rep for ChargePoint replied: "It will cost approximately $3 for 100 kilometres of driving (the equivalent cost when it comes to traditional petrol is $15). So, it costs about a fifth less to “refuel” your electric car.

In a landmark move, ChargePoint has partnered with the New Zealand Clean Energy Centre (the Centre) to establish the country’s first networked electric vehicle (EV) charging station.

Located on the new State Highway 1 Taupo bypass (at the intersection of Napier Highway), the unveiling of the ChargePoint station at 10am today coincides with an Open Day at the Centre’s state of the art facility.

The Centre showcases New Zealand’s most forward thinking and practical energy management companies and the latest advances in renewable and sustainable technologies.

The networked ChargePoint station allows 24/7 real time access, so EV drivers can operate it with mobile, hand-held devices, enabling them to “unlock” the unit as they drive up to it.

It also allows ChargePoint to undertake ‘round the clock diagnostics and to collect extensive data that will be used to develop an understanding of the practicalities and implications of the development of EV transport in New Zealand.

In Taupo for the launch, the company’s CEO, James Brown, called it is a “green letter day for New Zealand”.

“With a strong focus on renewables there is no doubt that interest in EVs is growing and growing rapidly. This trend will only be hastened in coming years and the infrastructure needs to be in place to service these vehicles. ChargePoint is at the forefront of this technology.”

Mr Brown said New Zealand EV drivers who “top up” at the Taupo ChargePoint station will initially be using the company’s Australian network facilities, but that will only be a temporary measure.

“Come October and the switch will be made to a New Zealand operating platform, complete with local driver and station manager support, New Zealand-only mapping and hand held apps,” he said.

Mr Brown says that as EVs take to the country’s streets in ever increasing numbers there will be a paradigm shift in transport and parking behaviours. Increasingly EV drivers will want to refuel their vehicles when parking their cars.

“ChargePoint foresees a gradual roll out of charging stations at business premises, shopping centres and other retail spaces, along with sporting facilities.

“These public facilities will complement off-peak home charging that can be managed with ChargePoint’s domestic chargers,” Mr Brown says.

ChargePoint is Australasia’s leading networked EV infrastructure provider. It has more than 30 public and private stations throughout Australia and New Zealand.

The open access ChargePoint network allows EV drivers to recharge their vehicles irrespective of whether they are members of the network or not.