New EV charging stations for capital
Twenty-eight new electric vehicle (EV) charging stations have been installed across Wellington suburbs as part of a project to cut emissions.
The stations are part of a two-year pilot between Wellington City Council, Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and ChargeNet NZ to assess the viability of providing slow charging for residents with no off-street parking.
EVs can be charged with a standard plug at home but this is not an option for residents without access to off-street parking.
If the pilot scheme is successful, officials plan to install more charging stations around the capital.
The extra chargers have been put in place despite a council report showing they are only being used one to three per cent of the time they are available.
Since the first installation in September last year, each charging station has been used on average twice a week, reports Stuff.
Councillor Sean Rush says he is surprised usage was so low but remains optimistic more people will soon be driving EVs and using the facilities.
Tamatha Paul, the climate change portfolio lead for the council, says the EV chargers are part of a programme to cut the city’s emissions in half over the next decade.
“Vehicle travel makes up 35 per cent of Wellington’s gross emissions,” she explains. “Electric vehicles emit 80 per cent less carbon dioxide than equivalent fuel-powered cars.
“If you’re thinking about buying a new vehicle, replacing fuel-powered cars with electric ones will go a long way towards reducing our emissions as a city, and is a practical thing people can do to protect our environment.”
Tom Pettit, council’s sustainability manager, says Wellington took up the initiative in 2018. “EVs can be charged easily at home using a three-pin plug, but for residents with no off-street parking, this isn’t so easy,” he adds.
Users must register to use the stations and are charged for the power they use. The chargers can accommodate two cars, with parks on either side of the station reserved for EV users.
For a map of Wellington’s charging stations, click here.
