Electric vehicles

With the consumer and environmental benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) just too great to be ignored, it's easy to see them as the future of motoring.

To explore the Value of EVs to New Zealand we commissioned a report from Concept Consulting. 

Where to charge your EV?

With its renewable electricity generation and many homes with garages that allow for easy overnight charging, New Zealand is the perfect country for EVs. Because EVs are good for New Zealand and good for our customers, we started establishing a network of public charging stations around Christchurch and surrounds during 2017. This means that EV drivers will never be too far away from getting a charging boost. 

To find an EV charging station near you, please visit EV charging.

If you have questions relating to the use of our chargers, please see our frequently asked questions.

Are you considering an electric vehicle?

If you have never driven an EV before, we recommend you test drive one next time you are looking to purchase a car. It's a driving experience that will pleasantly surprise you.

Some of the advantages of an EV:

  • Cheaper and more efficient to run than a petrol or diesel-powered car.
  • Environmentally friendly - 80% fewer CO2 emissions than a petrol car used in NZ.
  • Quieter and faster to drive - instant acceleration and the calm silence of an EV motor.
  • Charge up at home overnight - saves you time at the petrol station.
  • Will reduce New Zealand's dependence on foreign oil.

Types of EVs available

There are two main types of EV available in NZ:

  • Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) - these are 100% pure electric, fuelled by a battery which is charged by plugging into an electric power socket.
  • Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) - these have two engines - one fuelled by a battery which is charged by plugging into an electric power socket, the other engine is fuelled from a fuel tank and generally uses petrol or diesel. When the electric battery runs out, the petrol/diesel engine kicks in. 

Hybrids that you can't plug-in are more fuel efficient than a comparable petrol car but they are not electric vehicles. Their batteries are only charged by re-capturing energy when braking or from electricity generated by the engine.

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