Tauranga now hosts New Zealand’s largest electric vehicle (EV) charging hub. Located at the Tauranga Crossing shopping centre, this state-of-the-art facility features 10 hypercharger stations, each delivering up to 300kW of power. These chargers support a variety of EVs with both CCS and CHAdeMO plugs.
The hub includes specialised charging stations with trailer bays, which greatly benefit EV owners towing trailers by making the charging process much more convenient. It also offers two floating chargers designed for EV trucks and vans.
It opened in early August, and the launch event provided motorists a 50 per cent discount on charging fees, attracting EV owners from across the region. Its strategic location at Tauranga Crossing, which sees around 26,000 vehicles daily, ensures easy accessibility and convenience for drivers.
Meeting the Demand for Chargers
ChargeNet’s Chief Executive, Danusia Wypych, noted that the hub is well-positioned to meet the growing demand for EV charging. It offers fast and reliable charging and includes a range of amenities to enhance drivers’ experiences.
This new hub represents a $1.8 million investment, supported by ChargeNet and the EECA Low Emission Transport Fund. It marks a significant advancement in New Zealand’s EV infrastructure. Furthermore, Wypych highlighted that such developments are essential. They are crucial for achieving the country’s ambitious goal of 10,000 EV charging stations by 2030. This is particularly since New Zealand currently lags behind other OECD countries in public charger availability.
“This new charging hub plays a crucial role in our plan to expand our network to 600 charging points nationwide,” Wypych explained.
She also stressed the need for rapid and efficient connections to local electricity networks to accelerate the rollout of additional charging stations.
“We are already well behind the pace, and we need to catch up quickly. Our ratio of public chargers per EV is the lowest in the OECD,” she said.
“Enabling investors in EV chargers to connect to the country’s 28 local electricity networks quickly and on effective terms is essential for getting more EV chargers on the ground at the pace we need to.
With more EVs on New Zealand roads, Tauranga hub will be crucial for expanding charging infrastructure. With more hubs planned across the country, New Zealand is making significant progress toward a more sustainable and EV-friendly future.
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