The New Zealand Government has announced a significant expansion of the country’s electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, funding more than 2,500 new public charge points through $52.7 million in zero-interest loans.
The initiative, developed in partnership with ChargeNet and Meridian Energy, also includes around $60 million in private co-investment, bringing the total investment to more than $110 million. The programme aims to accelerate the rollout of EV infrastructure and support the country’s transition to cleaner transport.
A total of 2,574 new charging points will be installed, including 1,374 DC fast chargers and 1,200 AC chargers. The DC chargers will be deployed primarily at high-traffic locations such as highways, where vehicles can be charged in 20 to 60 minutes. AC chargers will be installed in areas with longer dwell times, including workplaces and residential zones.
The rollout will be split between urban and regional areas, with approximately half of the chargers located in major cities such as Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, while the remainder will be distributed nationwide.
New Zealand currently operates just over 1,800 public charge points, placing it among the lowest charger-to-EV ratios in the OECD. With the new investment and projects already underway, the total network is expected to grow to around 4,550 charge points.
The government has set a long-term target of 10,000 public chargers by 2030, aiming to reduce barriers to EV adoption and ease “range anxiety” for drivers.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the lack of charging infrastructure has been a key factor slowing EV uptake, despite growing interest from consumers. Energy and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts highlighted that EVs produce at least 60% fewer lifecycle emissions than petrol vehicles and can offer significant cost savings.
The financing model uses concessionary loans administered through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing, covering up to 50% of project capital costs with a maximum tenure of 13 years. Officials say the approach is designed to encourage private sector investment while keeping taxpayer costs low.
The government has also indicated plans to streamline planning processes to make it easier to install EV chargers, supporting faster deployment across the country.
The expansion is expected to play a key role in supporting New Zealand’s emissions reduction goals while improving access to sustainable transport options nationwide.
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