With over 78,000 EVs on our roads (as well as about 34,000 plug-in hybrids), set yourself up for a less-stress electric roadie with this guide.

There are over 1200 public charge points, with one available every 75km of state highway. Drivers can hit the road with confidence, but ‘plugging in’ rather than ‘tanking up’ requires a bit of a mindset shift.

Nail the basics, and you can save serious money and effort. 

EV owners have far more options to fuel up than petrol car owners: charging overnight when electricity is cheaper and more likely to be generated by renewable sources; or on the go at one of over 1100 charging stations across the national public charging network.

Fuel up at home before you head out on the road – using a wall-mounted, app-controlled smart charger will help you make the most of EV power plans.

Learn more here: Buying an EV smart charger

When you’re en route, drivers have the choice of fast chargers for quick top-ups or slower, cheaper chargers that suit longer stays.

An increasing number of hotels, motels and holiday parks around New Zealand offer EV charging facilities on-site, allowing guests to book through an app. 
Check out some accommodation providers who are keeping customers charged up and ready to roll here: Rest and recharge: EV charging at accommodation(external link)
 
If you’re planning a roadtrip in your EV over the holidays, or considering swapping your petrol car for an electric or hybrid vehicle, check out our tips for getting from A to B stress-free this summer.

Best EVer tips

  1. 1

    Charge to full before you go

  2. 2

    Pack your portable charger

  3. 3

    Plan your journey

  4. 4

    Enjoy your pit stops

  5. 5

    Download EV charger apps before you go

  6. 6

    Choose accommodation that allows EV charging

Charge to full before you go

Start your roadie 100% charged. The cheapest and most convenient option is to charge at home, so this will give people the best bang for their buck. It only costs about $11 to add 100km of range to an EV at home (off-peak), compared to $19 to do the same with a petrol car.*

It’s the same at the other end, too. Staying with in-laws who are nervous about you using their power? Plugging in overnight is around $10, even less if your hosts have a good off-peak electricity rate. Leave a koha and perhaps let them borrow the car so they can take a spin and save on fuel, too.

Plan your journey

When it comes to charging on the public network, you have a few options: high-speed chargers along state highways and other traffic areas, or slower chargers in places where one can park a while longer, like malls and supermarkets. Always pack your charging cable – you'll need it to use the slower chargers.

There are a number of apps and websites to help EV drivers to plan charging stops along their routes, including EV Roam and Plugshare.

Download these and set up your accounts before you set off – it’ll make the charging process smoother. 

Choose accommodation with EV charging available

Websites like Airbnb and Trivago allow you to filter for accommodation with EV chargers, while hotels and camp sites will list them in their features. 

 

Renting out a bach or Airbnb?

If you’re renting out your bach or offering accommodation through Airbnb, installing an EV charger will make you a competitive choice. Guests will most likely want to plug in overnight for a slower charge.

Install a smart, app-controlled wall-mounted charger to ensure off-peak charging and keep an eye on how much power guests are using.

Check out EECA’s list of approved smart chargers(external link). 

Check out the sample EV roadies we’ve put together* — Christchurch to Wanaka

  • 1

    Pack your snacks and start your playlist – you’re leaving Christchurch with a full battery.

  • 2

    Head for Geraldine, where you'll stop on Cox St for a coffee and grab 10 minutes on the charger while you wait.

  • 3

    That’ll be plenty to get to Lake Tekapo, where you can plug in at Motuariki lane and enjoy lunch and or a walk at this beautiful spot. (45 min)

  • 4

    Take a quick pit stop behind the Challenge on Sutherland Road in Omarama (6 min) before you hit Lindis Pass, then it’s straight through to Wanaka, where you can plug in at the supermarket while you get your holiday supplies, or wait till you get to your accommodation to charge there.

Auckland to Paihia

  • 1

    We're heading from Auckland to the Bay of Island - just one charging lunch break will be enough for us to take a couple of scenic detours – your battery’s already fully charged, so let’s go!

  • 2

    First stop: Park and charge at Paramount Plaza in Whangārei. 20 minutes is enough for lunch and to let you enjoy the detours. Head round the corner from the charger and visit Whangārei falls…

  • 3

    And you’ll have more than enough left to turn off at Hikurangi and enjoy a moment (or a sunset) at Sandy Bay.

  • 4

    Finally, cruise into Paihia, and bask in the sunny far north.

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