New Zealand doubles EV charging points in $60M green transport push

The New Zealand government has announced new funding to expand electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure across the country. Ministers Simon Watts and Chris Bishop revealed the plan, which aims to address a key barrier for drivers considering the switch to electric transport.

The investment will add 2574 public charge points, more than doubling the current network of around 1800. The move is part of a broader goal to reach 10,000 charge points by 2030—enough for roughly one charger per 40 EVs on the road.

The expansion follows a contestable bid process, with ChargeNet and Meridian Energy selected to install the new chargers. Both companies will co-invest $60 million, supported by government loans. The project targets a mix of urban and regional areas, with half the chargers placed in major cities and the rest spread across smaller towns.

Of the 2574 new points, 1374 will be DC fast chargers, designed for quick top-ups on highways or short stops. The remaining 1200 will be AC chargers, better suited for longer parking periods in destinations like shopping centres or workplaces. More AC chargers could also encourage adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs), which rely on slower charging.

At present, New Zealand has about 1800 public charge points, with another 161 already in development. The latest investment brings the total to 4550 once all installations are complete. However, private sector investment has remained slow, as companies hesitate to build chargers without guaranteed demand—while drivers, in turn, delay switching to EVs without sufficient charging options.

The new chargers will bring the country closer to its 2030 target of 10,000 public points. This should help ease concerns for drivers worried about finding a place to charge. The government's partnership with ChargeNet and Meridian Energy marks a step toward breaking the stalemate between supply and demand in New Zealand's EV market.