Embracing the EV future

More and more New Zealanders are discovering the powerful benefits that come from owning an electric vehicle.

One such benefit is operational costs. While at this stage the initial purchase price of EVs are higher than their fossil-fuelled counterparts, running costs are far lower - the equivalent of buying petrol for as little as 20 cents a litre for at home charging in certain networks.

Then there are environmental benefits. CO2 emissions can be cut by at least 80 percent, which goes a long way to helping New Zealand achieve its climate change goals.

And then there is the sheer convenience of owning an EV. Most of the time the vehicle’s batteries can be recharged overnight in their owners’ garages, and the following morning they will have sufficient range for a full day’s use. Recently, the government introduced a Clean Car Discount for new and used electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in New Zealand. The rebate for EV and hybrid owners is up to $8625 for new vehicles through to $2300 for used plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Little wonder then that the uptake of electric vehicles is gaining momentum in New Zealand, with nearly 30,000* now on our roads, this total increases by several hundred each month. That’s a far cry from 2013 when there were fewer than 200 of them registered in New Zealand, and even as recently as 2019 when the number was 18,500.

A company that is actively supporting this big transition to EVs is electricity generator and retailer Meridian Energy, which generates around a third of our country’s power from renewable sources of wind, water and sun. Not only has it committed to operating its own 100 percent EV fleet, but it has also introduced a range of initiatives aimed at encouraging more motorists to switch from fossil fuels to electricity.

One such Meridian initiative is the Electric Car Plan, which is available to residential customers who own a plug-in electric vehicle. The plan offers rates designed specifically for EV power consumption and lower night power prices in certain networks. It also comes with a $300** bill credit to jumpstart your EV journey and help cover the cost of charging an EV at home.

Meridian’s emerging markets and innovation lead Tim Calder says these initiatives are designed to help break down some of the barriers to electric vehicle ownership.

“With EVs it’s like having a petrol station in your garage, where the fuel is very cheap,” he says. “Depending on where you live, off-peak electricity rates can be as low as 8 cents a kilowatt hour, which translates to a petrol price of around 20 cents a litre - this does vary by network.”

Experts estimate that about 85 percent of all EV charging will take place at home so it’s important to set up home charging safely. A smart home charger is the safest way to charge your EV, and often faster than a standard 3-pin wall plug. And if you have a smart one, you can schedule your EV to charge at a specific time and make the most of Meridian’s electric car plan. When buying a home charger make sure you buy one from a reputable supplier, and consider putting them in a location that will be future proofed for easy charging if you plan on having multiple EVs down the track.

Tim Calder says an overnight charge using a dedicated charger, is easily enough under normal circumstances to provide you with enough charge for daily motoring and commuting.

Longer journeys normally require one or more stops at public charging stations so a vehicle’s batteries can be topped up, and these stations usually supply electricity at around 80 cents a kilowatt hour, which is still very inexpensive when compared to the price of petrol and can be a faster charge option to reduce your waiting time.

There are currently more than 350 public charging stations throughout the country, and the number is increasing all the time as the industry and Government work to see a charger every 75 km***.

Meridian is leading in this space too, with a commitment to roll out more than 200 charging stations all across New Zealand, which is already underway. These charging stations are being installed at locations ranging from public parks and shopping malls to recreational facilities, and their prevalence is helping get rid of what, up until now, has been one of the major barriers to EV ownership – range anxiety.

That’s the worry that an electric vehicle’s battery will die before the driver reaches a destination or a charging station. But thanks to the increasing availability of public charging stations and increasing range of EVs it’s hardly an issue these days, says Tim Calder. All that is required is a little planning ahead.

“And interestingly, more and more people are appreciating the health and safety benefits of being required to stop for a while during a lengthy drive, to stretch their legs and grab a coffee,” he says.

“Depending on where you live, off-peak electricity rates can be as low as 8 cents a kilowatt hour, which translates to a petrol price of around 20 cents a litre” Tim Calder