Marque reveals charging plan

BMW has announced plans to install its destination chargers at sites across New Zealand to increase the range of charging options for electric vehicle (EV) owners. 

The company has partnered with venues across the North and South islands and will install Generation 3 BMW Wallbox chargers for use by the marque’s customers and other motorists whose vehicles are compatible with the hardware. 

Manawatu Golf Club in Palmerston North, the Hastings Golf Club in Bridge Pa and the Manse Luxury Lodge in Maraekakaho, Hastings, are the first locations to offer the chargers.. 

The Park Hyatt hotel, near Auckland’s CBD, and Millbrook Resort, near Arrowtown, are set to follow in due course. 

BMW says additional venues will be announced later this year, with some locations set to offer up to eight BMW Wallbox chargers.

Charging capacity will be up to 22kW, enabling rapid replenishment of high-voltage EV batteries. 

Adam Shaver, BMW New Zealand managing director, says the destination charging programme aims to improve infrastructure as the number of EVs on the road increases. 

“The plan is a strategic one that carefully considers the locations and nature of the venues. For example, we took into consideration that a round of golf can take a number of hours – which is the perfect time to put your car on charge and have it up to 100 per cent by the time you finish,” he explains. 

“Or, that if you’re staying overnight at one of our partnered hotels or resorts, you can charge up overnight and be ready to drive the next morning.” 

The latest move complements previous work by BMW NZ, which six years ago collaborated with ChargeNet to create a network of DC fast charging stations to serve large areas of the country. 

Late last year, the company also began a partnership with EV charge point operator Jolt to assist in the rollout of free fast-charging options nationwide.