ChargeNet’s price increases come amid a new EV sales boom, sparked by rising petrol prices as the Iran conflict drags on.
Ministry of Transport data shows 1033 EVs and plug-in hybrids were sold in the week ending March 22, the biggest number since the Clean Car Discount was axed at the end of 2023 (which was soon followed by the introduction of road user charges for EVs).
ChargeNet’s increases mean the cost per kilowatt hour (kWh) at its “fast chargers” (25kW to 75kW) will rise from 85c to 90c and its “hyper chargers” (150kW and faster) from 90c to 95c.
What does that mean in practical terms?
The Herald ran numbers for a 420km Auckland to Tauranga return trip for a Tesla Model Y through the Road Trip app.
The jaunt would cost $70 at 39c/kWh – Road Trip’s average residential rate. The total includes $34 for road user charges, which EV owners pay at a rate of $76 per 1000km.
This week, the Government announced a $50m loan scheme to expand public EV charging stations. ChargeNet and Meridian were the recipients of the contested funds and will co-invest.
A survey of 500 owners for the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, taken over April and May last year, found 90% of EV owners and 93% of plug-in hybrid owners charge privately, at home or work.
At ChargeNet’s current cheapest rate of 85c/kWh, the return Auckland to Tauranga trip would cost $112 (again including $34 for RUCs).
With the increase to 90c/kWh from April 1, that rises to $117.
Shifting up to a ChargeNet Hypercharger charge, the total road trip cost increases from $117 to $121.
The average petrol-powered sedan has a fuel economy rate of 8.5 litres per 1000km, meaning the Auckland-Tauranga jaunt would cost $122 if filling up with 91 at Gaspy’s average price of $3.42 per litre.
Filling up with 95 at Gaspy’s average of $3.63, the entire journey would cost $130.
People are driving 20% less
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Chris Bishop used a speech to the Automobile Association Annual Conference today to highlight the Iran war’s impact on Kiwis’ driving habits.
“Using data from a sample of vehicles across the country, we can start to get a rough idea of how people are responding to this conflict,” Bishop said.
“Comparing the two weeks pre-conflict in mid-February against seven-day rolling averages for subsequent weeks, we have seen a reduction of approximately 20% in the vehicle kilometres travelled by cars. Not necessarily surprising when petrol prices have gone up 30%.”
The Ministry of Transport will start publishing vehicle usage and public transport stats, beginning later today, Bishop said.
Chris Keall is an Auckland-based member of the Herald’s business team. He joined the Herald in 2018 and is the technology editor and a senior business writer.
