The impact of increasing demand for electric vehicle charging on New Zealand’s electricity grid

Leading electric vehicle charger company Evnex warns that the growing number of electric vehicles (EVs) in New Zealand is putting pressure on the country’s power grid. With the advent of new EV models equipped with larger batteries, the demand for electricity to charge these vehicles continues to increase. Evnex collects valuable data from a network of more than 3,500 “smart chargers” across the country to provide insights into EV owners’ charging habits and 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. Home charging sessions, in particular, will increase energy consumption by 20% from 2021. EV manufacturers are addressing consumer concerns about limited range in their vehicles with larger batteries, longer charge times and the need for more powerful chargers.

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 shift has led to increased demand for electricity for charging, which is expected to continue as long-range EVs, vans and trucks enter the market.

To meet the growing demand for EV charging, Evnex emphasizes the importance of optimizing the power grid in specific areas and implementing smart charging technology to efficiently manage energy efficiency. Despite the challenges, EVnex data shows many EV-owning New Zealanders have embraced the charging process, with 60% of overnight charging sessions being delayed to take advantage of cheap or free energy offered by some suppliers.

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

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