EVs boost electric network

Data for power company shows big jump in people using its chargers for their vehicles.

Posted on 29 October, 2026

Meridian has reported a 30 per cent increase in active users charging their EVs on its network at least once a week as more Kiwis make the switch.

The growth over the past six months comes as the power company continues to invest in building a nationwide charging network to make EV travel easier and more convenient.

“What’s clear is that EVs are becoming a mainstream choice,” says Lisa Hannifin, Meridian’s chief customer officer. “The growth isn’t just in vehicle sales, it’s in the number of people regularly using public chargers as part of everyday life.”

The growth is being seen in increasing EV ownership and continued investment in charging infrastructure. Figures from EVDB for January to September 2026 show EV and PHEV sales reached a 23.7 per cent market share. Year on year, the proportion of EVs and PHEVs sold has increased by 166.9 and 111.6 per cent respectively.

Meridian’s public-charging network has grown to 570 EV charge points with 335 in the South Island and 235 in the North Island.

Over the past 12 months, the amount of electricity delivered through Meridian’s public EV network has more than doubled compared with the previous year.

Having focused on improving the South Island over the past two years, the company is now expanding its North Island network with a further 36 charge-points coming online in the next few months, including ultra-rapid chargers in Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Palmerston North, Warkworth and Hamilton.

Hannifin says: “Driving an EV isn’t just a cleaner choice, it can be a smart financial choice too. Using electricity to power your home and car creates an opportunity to reduce total energy costs.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for more Kiwis to take advantage of that. We’re on a mission to deliver New Zealand’s largest and most-loved EV network, and it’s encouraging to see just how many EV drivers are already tapping into that network and enjoying electric transport.”

Meridian is the country’s largest electricity generator, producing 100 per cent from renewable sources – hydro, wind and solar. It operates a portfolio of hydro stations, wind farms and battery storage with further wind, solar and battery storage projects under way to support the transition to a low-carbon future.