Z Energy continues to invest in NZ's electric cars

Z Energy has opened Auckland's first fast charge electric vehicle charging station at the Z Skyway service station at Auckland airport.

The installation brings Z's total number of fast start EV charging stations at its sites to six, with an additional two in Auckland, two in Wellington and one in Christchurch.

The charging station at Z Skyway was opened by Chelsea Sexton, an internationally renowned electric car advocate and advisor. From California, Sexton is best known for her role in Who Killed the Electric Car, and for her articles and blog posts about electric cars as well as her views on obtaining mass adoption of the technology by the car industry and drivers.

"Public charging in visible, convenient locations is key to electric vehicle adoption, as well as increased use and enjoyment by existing EV drivers," Sexton says.

The rapid-charge stations are being supplied by Charge Net and will be available for public use. The Tritium fast chargers draw up to 400 volts of electricity and can charge a standard electric vehicle in the time it takes a customer to buy and drink a cup of coffee, according to Z Energy.

Gerri Ward, Z Sustainability manager, says the move is part of Z's continued commitment to moving from being a part of the climate change problem to the heart of the solution.

"We're not an oil company, we're a transport energy company and we're committed to meeting the needs of our customers, whatever they might be. We also want to be at the front of the push towards a cleaner, more sustainable New Zealand and to give Kiwis choices to use more renewable fuels," she says.

The electric charging stations will cost approximately $5 - $10 for the vast majority of users (i.e. a Nissan Leaf) to fill up, and the charge time from empty will be approximately 10 - 25 minutes, as opposed to up to eight hours for a conventional slow charge. A 25 minute charge will 'fill up' an entry level electric vehicle like a Leaf and allow customers to travel around 120 kilometres.

"These stations provide another option to keep our customers moving regardless of the vehicle they drive or the fuel they need," says Ward.

Steve West, chief executive of Charge Net, says he has found working with Z Energy to be a 'great experience' and is pleased to see the iconic Kiwi brand charging into the future.

"Z Energy is a great company to work and collaborate with. We are excited to see these stations go live," he says.