Home / Technology / NZ Powers Up EV Charging: Loans Spur 10,000 New Points
NZ Powers Up EV Charging: Loans Spur 10,000 New Points
23 Mar
Summary
- New Zealand plans 10,000 EV chargers by 2030.
- Loans offer a cheaper alternative to government grants.
- EV charger availability remains a barrier to adoption.
New Zealand is accelerating its electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure development with a goal of deploying 10,000 public chargers by 2030. To achieve this, the government is implementing a strategy of offering below-market interest rate loans to private companies. This approach aims to minimize taxpayer exposure, with the net cost per charger estimated at around $10,000 after loan repayments.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop highlighted the necessity of this intervention, stating that the reluctance of private sector providers to invest in chargers is a significant barrier to EV adoption. He likened the strategy to past government efforts in rolling out broadband infrastructure to break market deadlock.
Approximately half of the new chargers will be situated in major urban centers like Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, with the remaining half distributed across regional areas. Furthermore, regulatory changes are being introduced to make the installation of EV chargers a permitted activity under the Resource Management Act, streamlining the deployment process.
While welcomed by EV advocates, some express concerns that the current $52 million allocated may not be sufficient to meet the ambitious 10,000-charger target by 2030. Drive Electric chair Kirsten Corston noted that previous government commitments were significantly higher and urged for clarity on future funding. She also pointed to a decline in EV uptake compared to previous years and other developed nations, emphasizing the need for broader government support for EV accessibility.
Corston suggested additional measures to boost EV adoption, including reductions in road user charges, Fringe Benefit Tax adjustments, or accelerated depreciation for commercial vehicles. She stressed the importance of making EVs more affordable for average New Zealand households, particularly those needing longer ranges and larger vehicles, advocating for policies that encourage a stronger second-hand EV market.
