By Beckie Wilson
Masterton will introduce the region’s second electric car charger, with its location narrowed down to two potential sites.
It is unclear when it will be installed but “certainly will be the first part of the year,” Masterton District Councils economic development manager Kieran McAnulty said.
“We are at this stage looking at the northern area of town near Farriers or the park,” he said.
“We want to have it where there are many carparks and it would be close to amenities too.”
Mr McAnulty was waiting to hear back from Charge Net and Powerco once a decision had been made on the most effective location for the charger, he said.
“[We are] hoping that people travelling the country will choose to come down through Wairarapa instead of Palmerston North.”
A charging station would be beneficial for people travelling in electric-powered cars as they will have the option of charging in Masterton or Featherston, he said.
Discussion between the companies began back in September in the hopes of installing the same unit as in Featherston.
The Charge Net New Zealand unit will cost $8 to $10 to use. It will charge an electric vehicle’s battery to 80 per cent within 15-25 minutes, allowing the car to travel approximately 80km.
There are about 30 established Charge Net New Zealand electric car chargers across the region, with more than 40 expected to be installed this year.
South Wairarapa District Councillor Colin Olds initiated the installation of the region’s first charger last year. Since its unveiling in September, Mr Olds said he is aware that it is being used.
“The feedback I get from the community is they see a lot of people parked up and using the charger,” he said.
People are coming from over the hill, then charge up, trip around the region, and charge back up on their way back over the hill.
“That’s what we wanted.”
He said the installation of any more chargers was up to the people in those districts.
The charging to 80% in 15-25 mins allowing 80km of travel is more or less a description of the Generation 1 Nissan LEAF. These have since been surpassed by Generation 2 LEAFS. Mine can do 120km on an 80% charge. The new Renault Zoe with a 41kWh battery can do over 200km on an 80% charge…..and of course a Tesla (even the most basic 60kWh Model S) can do at least 250km on an 80% charge.
Over the next 12 months there will be many new EVs that can do more than 300km on a charge. The situation is evolving very rapidly.
On a recent drive to Wellington from Auckland in my EV, I did have to go via Palmerston North because they had at least one fast charger readily available. Good to know Masteron is going to be an alternative route to SH1. 🙂
Well done, Masteron on embracing the future.