Northland's electric-car users are in for a boost with six new charging stations due to be installed between Kaikohe and Cape Reinga in the next six months.
Whangarei is already well-served with charging stations - and has the country's highest ownership rate of electric vehicles (EVs), according to Transport Ministry data - but the Far North has just one charging station in Kawakawa.
That's about to change thanks to $150,000 from ChargeNet NZ and a matching $150,000 grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority.
The funding will pay for five medium-speed DC chargers at Kaikohe, Waipapa, Mangonui, Houhora and Waitiki Landing, 20km south of Cape Reinga. A high-speed charger is about to be installed in Kaitaia in a separate project.
EV advocate Craig Salmon, of Paihia, said the idea was to locate the charging stations about 50km apart to cater for more affordable types of electric vehicles, rather than top-end Teslas.