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The Spinoff
23-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Spinoff
A first timer's guide to buying an EV
With volatile fuel prices and worsening climate change, now could be the time to switch to an EV. But where to begin? Buying a car is a famously head-scratching experience, never mind buying an electric vehicle. There's so much to consider – upfront cost, fuel economy, safety rating, lifestyle needs and so on. With second-hand vehicles, that list gets even longer. Purchasing a vehicle requires not just money, but time to suss out the options and make the right decision. While zero emissions is a big EV drawcard, there are many other perks convincing people to make the switch. If you're interested in buying an EV though, where should you start? Kathryn Trounson is a longtime EV enthusiast and chairperson of Better NZ Trust, which aims to educate and promote EV uptake. She shared her top EV buying tips with The Spinoff. Understanding the running costs Running a regular car comes with familiar costs, petrol prices being one of the most important. Understanding how much an EV will cost you day-to-day though isn't immediately clear. Understanding charging options is key here. Most EV users can rely on the charger their car comes with, Trounson says. These plug into a normal household socket so there's no need for expensive installs or rewiring. Many people charge their EVs overnight this way. If you need a faster charge, wall chargers are available at varying prices. So how much will your power bill increase by? While electricity rates vary by region and time of day, Trounson says most people don't notice a huge increase. Any power bill increase is likely to be much less than accrued petrol saving, and there are special electricity plans on offer for EV owners. Genesis has an electricity plan to support future thinking Kiwi who invest in EVs. It offers discounted electricity rates, and a first-of-its-kind charging partnership with ChargeNet which allows customers to take their home charging rates on the road at any ChargeNet station. Genesis's Energy EV plan * gives customers 50% off their variable day electricity rate from 9pm to 7am, perfect for charging overnight. While the initial cost of an EV might be higher than a petrol car, Trounson says, the lifetime savings of an EV are worth it for many. If you really want to crunch the numbers, this calculator can help. Consider upfront cost Like any other vehicle, Trounson says, you need to consider lifestyle and upfront cost when choosing which car to buy. Petrol cars come in all shapes and sizes for a variety of needs, and ditto with EVs – there are even fully electric utes. Generally speaking though, a bigger battery means a bigger range but a bigger price tag. Luckily, Trounson says, EVs have gotten more affordable in the past few years, even before you take fuel and maintenance savings into account. More competition in the market and improvements in battery technology have pushed prices down. Brand new, fully electric models can now be found at comparable prices to new petrol cars. Don't skip second hand The second-hand EV market is growing, but buying one still requires the same caution you'd use when buying a used petrol car. A key thing to look at here is the car's remaining battery life, often reported as a state of health (SoH) percentage. This number, Trounson says, is often more important than mileage or number of previous owners. While EV batteries do degrade, the rate is slower than you might expect. Most degrade about 1.8 percent per year, and should retain 64 percent of their range after 20 years, although battery health can be affected by factors such as storage conditions and driving style. Trounson recommends sticking to reputable, knowledgeable dealers for used EVs. Helpfully, she notes, cars less than eight years old often have a transferable battery warranty. Be realistic about range How do you choose the right EV for your lifestyle? Lots of people get stuck on range, Trounson says, the distance you can drive on a full charge. Many people find the concept of 'range' to be unfamiliar and offputting. 'An EV tells you in kilometres how far you can go, and you see that number change. When you turn the air conditioning on, or if you were driving into rain, that would reduce the range. But that would reduce the range in an internal combustion car too – it's just that you don't see it. Like anything, it just takes getting used to.' As with petrol cars, terrain, weather conditions and driving style can all affect the range of an EV. But EVs can actually recover some range thanks to features like regenerative charging, where some charge is recovered as the car goes downhill. The right model and associated driving range therefore depends on someone's individual needs, says Trounson, though you might find you need less range than you think. According to the Ministry of Transport, most people drive less than 30 kilometres a day. That figure is based on data from 2014, so our national average may have changed since then. Still, Trounson says that most EVs can handle the short, frequent daily trips that characterise most urban driving patterns. The cheapest available EV, an older, second-hand Nissan Leaf, might only have 50km of range – but that might perfectly suit a student, older person or someone who works from home. Don't forget weekends away Once you've got your head around costs, range and charging you might start to think further afield. Will switching to an EV make road trips trickier? Trounson points out that even lower range EVs can be taken on a weekend trip. Just a few years ago, she says, the New Zealand charging network was still 'in its infancy'. But that's changed drastically. A quick look on the Electric Vehicle Database (EVDB) shows EV charging is now widely available in Aotearoa, even in remote and wild places. It's not just the availability of charging stations that's improved, it's also the charging technology. Old public chargers were slow, which meant long stopovers. Now, most charging stations have fast-charging available getting you close to a full charge in 15 to 30 minutes. And how much does charging on the go cost? This varies but Genesis's EVerywhere plan * lets you take your home rates with you on the road at ChargeNet public charging stations. When to make the switch? Companies are investing heavily into the EV market and prices are likely to continue falling as batteries become better and cheaper. But that doesn't necessarily mean you should buy a new petrol vehicle in the meantime. 'The right time to buy an EV is when your current car is no longer suitable for your needs,' says Trounson. 'If you can afford to, you should buy an EV now. If you can't afford an EV, never buy a brand-new internal combustion engine car, because petrol will go up. 'Nobody who has an EV says they wish they hadn't bought it. Everyone says I wish I'd bought it earlier.'
NZ Herald
17-07-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Cut EV costs with smarter charging
When choosing an EV, some owners give little thought to how they'll charge it. But they should. A smarter charging setup can cut your cost per kilometre by up to 80% and help reshape Aotearoa New Zealand's energy landscape. That's according to Kirsten Corson, chair of EV advocacy organisation Drive Electric. Asked if she's an EV enthusiast, Corson laughs. 'Absolutely, and for good reason. There are significant benefits to travelling by EV, whether it's a car, ute, or even one of those city scooters,' she says. 'EVs aren't just about driving. They could also hold the key to reimagining how we power our lives.' With over 82,000 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) already on the road in Aotearoa New Zealand and 550,000 expected by 2030, the charging infrastructure needs to keep up – easing range anxiety, cutting costs, and improving energy efficiency. Energy companies like Genesis are introducing plans to encourage EV uptake. Genesis offers a plan designed specifically for EV owners, with half-price variable charging rates from 9pm to 7am. Genesis has also partnered with ChargeNet (in which it owns a stake) to launch a first-of-its-kind feature that lets you fast charge at ChargeNet stations across Aotearoa New Zealand for the same rate you pay at home. It's a simple, more flexible way to keep your EV ready for the road without blowing the budget. Aotearoa New Zealand's charging network still lags behind OECD standards. The Government targets 10,000 public chargers by 2030, but only 1200 have been co-funded by EECA since 2016, with 702 in place by 2022. Rural areas and holiday hotspots remain underserved, exacerbating range anxiety despite EV ranges now exceeding 400km, with solid-state batteries promising 800km by 2027. Despite challenges, public charging is expanding, led by ChargeNet's network of over 450 fast-charging points, which includes 300kW hyper-rapid chargers that add hundreds of kilometres of range in 15 minutes. EECA's roadmap targets fast chargers every 75km on state highways, but rural grid limitations require costly upgrades. 'The infrastructure is maturing, but it's uneven as you might expect,' Corson notes. 'Rural and high-traffic areas need priority.' An expanding public infrastructure is good news, but given that most car journeys are well under 50km, it's no surprise that most people charge at home. The standard 240V 10-amp plug socket is the basic option, with more than 60% of EV owners habitually hooking up to one. These 'Level 1' chargers add just 10–15km of range per hour. Dedicated in-home Level 2 wall chargers (7–22kW) deliver around 100km per hour; a 7kW charger can fully charge a 60kWh battery in 8.5 hours, compared to 25 hours via a standard socket. But Corson advocates for home smart chargers, which enhance nearly every aspect of EV ownership. Advantages include elevated efficiency with scheduled off-peak charges (9pm–7am), when power prices are at their lowest. Depending on the type of electricity plan you are on this can cut costs by up to 30%, translating to $3–$5 for 100km of range versus $15–$20 for petrol equivalents. 'Price signals are probably the best motivation for making the move to an EV because we all understand cost,' Corson says. Public charging sessions typically cost $10–$20 for 20–40kWh, adding 100–200km, with providers like Jolt offering the first 7kWh free. Tools like EVRoam, PlugShare and ChargeNet's apps provide real-time charger availability, while EECA's Public EV Charging Dashboard offers regional insights. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology could revolutionise Aotearoa's energy system, with EVs storing power during low-demand periods and returning it during peaks. 'The idea is to charge your EV when power is cheap and abundant in times of low demand, then when power is expensive at peak times, you sell that power back into the grid at a higher price,' Corson explains. 'But the key here is a smart charger.' Trials by Evnex and Thundergrid show EVs storing solar or off-peak hydro energy, saving owners 10–20% on bills while reducing grid strain. Genesis Energy highlights that smart chargers optimise grid-friendly charging, but regulatory clarity and grid upgrades are needed. 'EVs could be a game-changer,' Corson says. 'Your car becomes a power bank, supporting the grid while parked 90% of the time.' By 2030, V2G could support the 47% of light vehicle kilometres travelled by EVs, reducing reliance on fossil fuel back-ups. Charging hubs, like Tauriko's planned solar-panelled site in Tauranga, further integrate renewables. However, Corson warns that fragmented regulations across 29 electricity distribution businesses hinder progress. The Electricity Authority's consultations on rewarding stored energy supply signal hope, but bold action is needed. Around 60% of public charging occurs at destination chargers (malls, workplaces), with 40% at high-speed DC stations. ChargeNet plans 34 chargers at 20 new sites in 2025, but rural gaps persist. Corson calls for streamlined regulations and transparency in funding to spur private investment, citing Canada's $1 billion annual investment in public charging as a benchmark. With smart chargers, hyper-rapid stations and V2G potential, Aotearoa's charging infrastructure is evolving beyond the 240V socket. As EVs are expected to dominate vehicle imports by 2030, strategic investments could see electrification of the fleet powering not just roads but the nation's energy future. 'It's a bit like the 1920s, maybe, when liquid fuel infrastructure didn't exist,' notes Corson. But the similarities end there, because, 'We do have major differences and advantages today, including home charging and steadily improving public infrastructure, as more people realise how primitive petrol power feels when they first drive an EV.'
NZ Autocar
14-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
XPeng G6 charges in a flash
It's not yet here but it is in Australia, the XPeng G6. One of its claims to fame was fast charging, able to hook up to 280kW ultrafast units. But soon, it's going all out on the charging front, a new version maxing out when it hooks up to a 451kW hypercharger. This then would make it one of the fastest-charging electric cars in the world. All well and good except that 500kW hyperchargers are thin on the ground. Our largest are ChargeNet's 300kW units at the top of the Bombays and in Tauranga. However, if you were driving one of the updated XPeng G6s in Europe, you'd be able to refresh the battery pack from 10 to 80 per cent in 12 minutes. That said, the 300kW machines here can add 400km of range in 15min in certain EVs. Tacan and Ioniq 5 N, with their 800v charging architecture, can manage a 10-80 per cent refresh on a 300kW hypercharger in 18min. How has XPeng managed this feat? By fitting a new '5C Supercharging' lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. It's not yet clear the size of the battery or the vehicle range. It's combined with an 800-volt electrical architecture, however. In other updates, the G6 now has a sharper, more futuristic look thanks to adopting a full-width LED lightbar at the front. There's also a redesigned rear diffuser. Inside are ambient lighting, a capacitive steering wheel (senses if the wheel is being held or not), a new dashboard, and more premium cabin materials. The front seats now feature a massage function with lumbar support. If you happen to be at the Le Mans 24 Hours race in France this weekend, you can check it out there.
NZ Autocar
10-06-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Autocar
Z Energy to increase EV charger rates this month
Z Energy has announced it will raise prices on its nationwide EV charging network from the 24th of June. Per-kWh rates will rise from 79 cents to 88 cents. It also raised them this time last year. The increase will take effect from 24 June 2025, and will apply for both fast and ultra-fast chargers across the Z network. The company says the price hike reflects higher wholesale electricity costs, along with rising transmission and distribution charges. Meantime, the New Zealand Herald reports today that lake levels in the North Island are high after all the rain. Those in the South Island are at 91 per cent. That indicates that repeats of last year's winter power price spikes are unlikely. That's especially with more geothermal energy production on line, and substantial reserves of coal available. Gas reserves, however, are down by 27 per cent compared with last year. Z isn't the only EV charging operator raising prices. Many have announced price increases in 2025, including ChargeNet and Meridian's Zero network. They cite similar cost pressures tied to energy market volatility and infrastructure upgrades. According to Z, the typical EV driver who takes on around 22kWh per charging session can expect to pay $2 more per visit. Home charging remains the most cost-effective option for many EV owners. But fast/ultra-fast public charging continues to play a vital role in supporting longer journeys. It is also essential for urban users who don't have a home charging alternative.
NZ Herald
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- NZ Herald
Tauranga electric truck fire under investigation
Anderson said an aerial fire truck from the Mount Maunganui fire station joined the other crews at 8.22pm. 'Our crews started heading home about 10pm and we had one remain on scene until 4am, cooling the truck. The fire is extinguished.' A fire investigator also attended on Saturday night and returned today. The electric truck caught fire while parked at the ChargeNet charging site in the Bethlehem Town Centre carpark. 'ChargeNet can confirm that at approximately 4.50pm ... a fire occurred involving an EV [electric vehicle] truck at our Bethlehem charging site,' ChargeNet said in a statement. 'The charger was quickly disconnected from the vehicle. The driver was able to exit the vehicle safely and no injuries have been reported.' ChargeNet said the Bethlehem charging site has been temporarily shut down. 'Emergency services responded promptly and removed the vehicle at around 4am this morning. 'Our technical team is working closely with emergency services and on-site personnel to support their response and undertake a thorough assessment.' ChargeNet said initial indications suggest the vehicle involved was a custom-built electric truck. 'The safety of our customers, partners and the public is our highest priority,' it said. 'We are in direct contact with the vehicle's owner and will continue to assist Fire and Emergency New Zealand and other relevant authorities as needed. 'Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.' EV FireSafe director Emma Sutcliffe said electric truck battery fires are rare, with just 13 such incidents verified globally. Advertise with NZME. 'When they do occur, the leading cause is manufacturing faults that can trigger a chemical process called thermal runaway, which is extremely difficult to control in large battery packs,' Sutcliffe said. 'The safest response is often to allow the pack to burn out while protecting nearby structures.' EV FireSafe is an Australian company funded by the Australian Department of Defence, specialising in EV battery fire research and emergency response – particularly when EVs are charging. Global and NZ data from EV FireSafe and Drive Electric Global and New Zealand data shared by EV FireSafe and Drive Electric show that EV battery fires are rare, with 510 globally between 2010–2024, across about 40 million EVs. EVs are less likely to catch fire than petrol/diesel vehicles. Data from Norway shows that there is a 0.005% fire rate for EVs versus a 0.03% fire rate for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. Most EV fires don't involve the battery. Data collected from the Netherlands shows that only 38% (2022) and 25% (2023) involved battery ignition. Charging-related fires are also uncommon with less than 15% of EV battery fires happening while charging. This means that charging is not always the cause.
