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EV Charging
EV Charging How much does it cost to charge an electric vehicle?
If you drive an average of 25-30km a day (like most Kiwis), the cost of charging an EV is equivalent to paying 30c per litre for petrol1. You can charge your EV while you sleep for about $3.00 per 100km, depending on the model and your electricity retail plan. A fast charge can cost up to $10 for 100km, and takes about 20 minutes.
1 Source: Meridian Energy Website
1 Source: Meridian Energy Website
Is charging an electric car cheaper than petrol?
Charging an EV costs the equivalent of around $0.30 per litre of petrol – which is where some substantial savings can be made. The Ministry of Transport estimates the average car in New Zealand travels around 11,500 kilometres per year.
How much does it cost to fit an EV charger?
This will vary depending on your electrical infrastructure, location of the charger and the current capacity at your house. A home assessment by our licensed electrician will answer these questions and provide a full quote.
Can I charge my EV at home?
Unlike owning a conventional petrol car, you can “refill” your electric vehicle at home – just pull into your garage and plug it in. Owners generally prefer to install an EV wall charger which provides a quicker charge. A standard outlet can be used in some circumstances (a home assessment will confirm this) but it takes longer to fully charge.
Do electric vehicles lose charge when parked?
Electric vehicles can handle extended periods of inactivity very well, even better than combustion-powered engines, as there are fewer moving parts and perishable items like fan belts and radiator hoses to worry about.
Should I charge my electric vehicle every night?
It’s not necessary to charge every night unless you’re driving enough to use up most of your battery’s charge during the day. However most people do plug in their vehicles each night to top up. Some vehicle models have onboard tools where you can auto set the charger to start and end at designated times.
Should I charge my EV to 100%?
There's no need to charge to 100% consistently, unless you need to rely on the entire driving range of your vehicle. Staying between 20% and 80% battery capacity will leave you with plenty of driving miles and be gentle on the battery.
How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?
The time it takes to charge an electric car from empty varies significantly from a couple of hours to 12 hours or more. This depends on the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point. A typical electric car (60kWh battery) takes just under 8 hours to charge from empty to full with a 7kW charging point.
Is it bad to leave your electric car plugged in?
It’s completely safe to leave an electric vehicle charging (or plugged in) overnight. In fact, charging at night could allow you to take advantage of cheaper off-peak electrical rates (if included in your electricity retailer’s plan). It’s also an effective way of managing your home’s power consumption if there is a risk of tripping due to limited power capacity.
When do I need more ½ hourly data?
In some circumstances when you are using excess to your available capacity and wish to have an EV installed, you can request half hourly data from your power supplier. A home assessment will determine this and our electrician would make this recommendation as it more accurately provides the actual consumption within your home.
What happens if an electric car runs out of charge?
Naturally, you’d try to avoid this happening, but if it does you would manage it the same way as if you ran out of fuel. Roadside services (e.g., AA if you’re a member) would tow your electric vehicle to the nearest charging station.
How can I charge an electric car without a garage?
Our electrician can install a hardwired outdoor EV charging station. This can be attached to either an external wall or a freestanding pole and is weather proof except for extreme situations like water blasting or natural disasters.