New Zealand’s electric vehicle boom is putting pressure on the country’s power infrastructure

New Zealand’s growing electric vehicle (EV) boom is putting a strain on the country’s electricity grid, warns leading EV charger company Evnex. With the advent of new EV models equipped with larger batteries, the demand for electricity to charge these vehicles continues to increase. Evnex has been able to collect valuable data from a network of over 3,500 “smart chargers” across the country, providing insights into the charging habits of EV owners and the impact on the power grid.

According to a recent report by Evnex, average energy consumption during EV charging sessions has been steadily increasing year-on-year. Specifically, energy consumption in home charging sessions has increased by 20% from 2021. As EV manufacturers address consumer concerns about limited range by fitting their vehicles with larger batteries, the need for longer charging times and more powerful chargers is evident.

Evnex CEO Ed Harvey said older EV models, such as the Nissan Leaf, which store 24kWh to 30kWh of electricity, are being replaced by vehicles with dual or twin batteries. This change has led to increased demand for electricity for charging, which is expected to continue as long-range electric vehicles, vans and trucks enter the market.

To meet the growing demand for EV charging, Evnex highlights the importance of optimizing the power grid in specific areas and implementing smart charging technology to efficiently manage power capacity. Despite the challenges, Evnex data shows that many New Zealanders with EVs have embraced the charging process, with 60% of overnight charging sessions being delayed to use cheap or free energy offered by some energy providers.

As the EV market evolves and battery sizes continue to increase, it is critical for energy providers and infrastructure developers to proactively address these changes to ensure a reliable and sustainable charging network for EV owners worldwide.