Resorts getting fast-chargers

Wanaka’s new electric vehicle fast-charge station on Ardmore St waits to be unwrapped and become part of the national network. Photo: Kerrie Waterworth

Queenstown should have two fast-charging stations for electric vehicles by early next year and a new fast-charger has arrived in Wanaka, too.

The Queenstown Lakes District Council this week approved a licence for a fast-charging station in its Athol St car park in the town centre.

The station, which can recharge a vehicle in 20-40 minutes, will be installed with two parking spaces, but its design will allow for expansion to a second outlet and up to six spaces to cater for future demand.

It is being put in by ChargeNet Ltd, a private company that is installing stations across the country.

The company is also installing a station in a car park on a privately-owned site in Hawthorne Dr, Frankton.

In Wanaka, contractors began commissioning a station on council-owned land in Ardmore St on Wednesday and it is expected to be operating by Christmas.

Council project manager Rob Darby said Queenstown’s Athol St station was expected to be in use by January or February.

Without a fast-charging station, electric vehicle owners had no choice but to use a domestic 240v supply, which took between four and 10 hours for a single charge.