EV envy of the world?

A network of electric vehicle charging stations around the Far North will be the “envy of the world” by the end of the year, according to EV advocate Craig Salmon.

The Crimson Coast EV Highway was officially launched in Kerikeri with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and a chance to ride in a range of EVs, from the tiny Mitsubishi i-MiEV to the Tesla Model X, with its gull wing doors and $170,000 price tag.

The Crimson Coast project brings together a large number of players, including the Far North District and Northland Regional councils, Top Energy and ChargeNet NZ. The goal is to create a network of chargers 50-60km apart around the Far North, making it possible to drive to Cape Reinga and have charge to spare to explore side roads in even the lowest-range vehicle.

Charging stations are now operating in Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Kaitaia and Kaikohe. By the end of the year more will follow at Waipapa, Cooper’s Beach, Houhora and Waitiki Landing.

Other sites on the wish list for future funding are Waipoua, Kohukohu, Opononi and Mangamuka, opening up the west coast and the SH1-SH10 loop, while a charging station at Oakura would allow EVs to travel the back road to Russell.

Mr Salmon, who is co-ordinating the project, said it would be “an incredible network the whole world will envy”. The distance between stations would make driving to the Cape feasible even in a second-hand Nissan Leaf with a range of 80-100km. The newest Leaf had a range of 240km, and Teslas considerably more.

As well as reducing carbon emissions, Mr Salmon said EVs made New Zealand less dependent on imported fuels, and the savings in fuel costs meant Northlanders would have more money left in their pockets to spend elsewhere.

ChargeNet NZ founder Steve West said one of the stumbling blocks to increased EV uptake in the Far North had been a lack of charging stations in strategic locations. The Crimson Coast project would go a long way towards solving that issue.

Apart from council staff time, the charging stations come at no cost to Far North ratepayers. Half the cost is covered by grants from the government’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), with ChargeNet NZ, a private company, paying the rest.