Recently we installed a public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging station in Tekapo and Twizel, bringing our total number of fast-charging stations to seven across the district.
In 2016 we opened South Canterbury’s first public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging stations in Timaru and Waimate. We have since added to that with fast-chargers now in Fairlie, Geraldine and Temuka.
Strategically located, our chargers provide electric vehicle users with a convenient and fast means to charge their car.
The charging stations are part of a nationwide roll out to help alleviate the dreaded “range anxiety” often talked about with electric vehicles.
Our continued partnership with Charge Net, the operator of a nationwide electric vehicle charging network, will see us exploring future opportunities to install further EV fast-charging stations in South Canterbury.
Electric vehicle drivers can access the fast charger network via a RFID card, which drivers tap against the charging unit to activate it, or via a smartphone app.
If you'd like to know where country’s fast-charging stations are, please see ChargeNet's location map.
How to use a fast-charging station
You must first register an account with ChargeNet. To avoid any stress, we recommend registering your account ahead of time. Go to charge.net.nz to sign up.
This can also be done at the station during your first visit, by phoning us on the number 0800 2 CHARGE (this number is printed on the front of the stations.) Alternatively, you can sign yourself up on your smartphone by completing the registration form.
There is no cost to open an account with ChargeNet. Charges are incurred when you charge your electric vehicle. See here for instructions on using the chargers. Quick instructions are also printed on the front of all of the stations