New Zealand’s largest national electric vehicle public charging provider has turned 10-years-old, helping take the electrification of transport from a radical idea to the mainstream future of travel.  Starting when only 500 electric vehicles were on New Zealand’s roads the company has grown to deliver over three million charging sessions.

Founded by Dee and Steve West as an ambitious technology start-up, ChargeNet has grown into the country’s first national EV public charging network, with 520 charging points from Bluff to Cape Reinga. ChargeNet is delivering strong year-on-year growth in public charging as the choice of EV options, their purchase prices, and the total cost of ownership continue to deliver increasing consumer benefits.  

In late 2024, Genesis Energy acquired a majority shareholding in ChargeNet as part of its electrification strategy. 

ChargeNet Chief Executive, Danusia Wypych, said the electrification of New Zealand’s light passenger vehicle fleet was moving rapidly as more innovative and cost effective options come to market. ChargeNet was squarely focused on delivering the investment in public charging infrastructure to support current customers and accelerating future electrification.

“From a decade ago when ChargeNet’s founders imported the country’s first Tesla, there are now more than 125,000 battery electric and plug in hybrids on our roads, and this number is growing fast. In under a decade, EVs have gone from niche to entirely mainstream and we are now seeing business fleets, commercial customers, and trades businesses signing up to use our public EV charging network.   

“When fleet orders are being booked in the hundreds, you know the future is arriving,” she said. 

Danusia said the second-hand EV market was now strengthening which was important for further stimulating demand and accessibility. She noted that the emergence of electric trades vans was beginning to transform the light commercial sector and was another area of rapid growth. 

“Over ChargeNet’s decade of operation we’ve seen the inevitable shifts in the market and policy changes but the fundamentals all support continued electrification. There’s now multiple EV ute options, EV vans, China is emerging as an innovative, lower cost EV importer, and government remains committed to partnering with industry on EV infrastructure,” she said.

“ChargeNet’s own polling shows almost 25 per cent of kiwi already own or are considering buying an EV in the next three years, and this is during a period of sustained economic challenges. As the economics of EV ownership steadily improve, we are forecasting strong year-on-year growth in EV ownership and demand for public charging.”

The first ChargeNet fast charger was installed at the future-focused Four Square store in the Northland town of Kaiwaka, a handy stop between Auckland and Whangārei. As EV range increases and more and more Kiwi enjoy EV benefits getting around town and across New Zealand with at home charging and high-powered sites becomes easier and easier.   

Danusia said ChargeNet is consistently seeing ~ 40 per cent growth year-on-year, demonstrating how critical a modern, comprehensive network of public fast charging infrastructure is to New Zealand’s future. She said capacity upgrades to existing urban charging stations are being met with soaring public demand, illustrating strong unmet demand for public charging waiting for capacity investment.  “We have a world-class network of vehicle providers and site partners making charging ultra convenient for EV owners.”

In reflecting on a decade of operation, Danusia thanked ChargeNet’s loyal customers and network of long-term partners, which has helped deliver more value to EV owners.

“Running an EV, you usually charge at home is like driving around for $1.90/l of fuel (including RUCs).  A shout out to all our customers who are on the journey with us.  Whether you are charging with us week in week out at the supermarket or when you’re on the summer roadie, it’s always good to see you again.  

“While, thanks to the courage and vision of its founders, ChargeNet has delivered a 10-year track record of investing in transport electrification, we’re just at the start of the transformation of New Zealand’s transport sector. The pace of EV innovation is accelerating; consumers want to go electric and the economics of doing so are compelling.

“We’re perfectly positioned to lead the next decade of electrification and are excited about helping deliver the benefits of EV ownership for consumers, for the economy and for the climate.”

Since its launch in September 2015, ChargeNet has served customers with over 40.5 million kWh of EV charging, more than three million charging sessions, which is equivalent to: 

• BEVs driving 202 million km - equivalent to one BEV driving 5,000 times around the earth
• Saving 31,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions, equivalent to eliminating 2,100 Auckland to Wellington flights
• Emissions savings equivalent to planting 567,000 native trees to absorb carbon for 20 years.