NZ Speeds Up Public EV Charger Rollout: In a major push towards greener transportation, the New Zealand Government has announced a new plan to fast-track the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) chargers nationwide.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simon Watts detailed the initiative, which aims to strengthen the public charging network and boost EV adoption across the country.
New Funding Model to Drive Faster EV Charger Deployment
Under the new strategy, the Government will move from direct grants to a more commercial, competitive funding model.
Up to $68.5 million in existing grant funding will now be used for concessionary loans to private operators. This change is designed to speed up investments while ensuring greater value for taxpayers.
“New Zealand needs more EV chargers,” said Transport Minister Chris Bishop. “We currently have fewer public chargers per EV than many OECD countries, and that’s a real barrier for Kiwis considering an EV.”
As of December 31, 2024, New Zealand had 1,378 public EV chargers—roughly one charger for every 84 EVs.
The Government now targets 10,000 chargers by 2030, aiming for one public charger for every 40 EVs. This major expansion is key to tackling ‘range anxiety’ and making EV ownership more convenient.
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Using Lessons from Ultra-Fast Broadband Success
The rollout will follow a proven model: the highly successful Ultra-Fast Broadband project.
According to Bishop, this approach addresses the “chicken-and-egg” problem where the private sector hesitates to invest until demand grows, but demand cannot grow without reliable infrastructure.
Instead of slow grant-based processes, the contestable co-investment rounds will drive competition among private operators. Loan applications must include multiple charging locations and demonstrate clear public benefits.
“Concessionary loans will lower capital costs and encourage earlier private investment,” Bishop added. “This model keeps taxpayer contributions low and achieves faster results.”
Energy Minister Simon Watts emphasized the long-term benefits of EV adoption for New Zealand’s economy and environment.
“With our bountiful renewable energy resources, EVs make huge sense for New Zealand,” said Watts. “Kiwis charging their EVs are essentially filling their cars with water, wind, and geothermal energy—reducing reliance on fossil fuels.”
He added that expanding EV charging infrastructure would not only help cut transport costs for households but also support broader climate and economic goals.
“By giving people more options to reduce everyday expenses, we’re helping them stay ahead while building a more sustainable future,” Watts said.
The administration of this initiative will be handled by National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFFCo), the successor to Crown Infrastructure Partners, with assistance from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA).
With strong government backing, private sector involvement, and a smarter funding model, NZ speeds up public EV charger rollout to meet growing demand and support a greener future.
