‘Fuelling up’ EVs using smart chargers can reduce charging costs, take pressure off the national electricity grid, and help reduce New Zealand’s carbon footprint through prioritising renewable energy and avoiding fossil fuel electricity generation.
So says the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) which has commissioned updated guidance, delivered by Standards New Zealand, to help move New Zealanders towards smart charging at home, at work and on the road.
New Zealand is seeing around 1700 new EVs hit the road every month, it adds.
“With increasing uptake and interest in EVs, the way we power them up plays a critical role in New Zealand’s electricity future, as the Government focusses on increasing electrification of our energy system,” says EECA.
It says using a smart EV charger, at home, during off-peak hours is the most convenient, smartest, and most efficient way to ‘fuel up’.
A smart EV charger can receive a signal from your electricity supplier and charge your car when the demand for electricity is at its lowest across New Zealand, which is usually when prices will be lower, EECA adds.
“Charging at home off-peak is like buying petrol at around 40c/litre, depending on your electricity retailer – and it maximises the use of renewable energy sources like hydro, geothermal, and wind power.
“But not all EV chargers are created equal, and they aren’t currently regulated.
“The new guidance aims to address this by providing best practice information to point New Zealand’s EV charger market in the right direction, helping futureproof our charging practices in a rapidly evolving energy landscape. “
New Zealand is likely to integrate ‘demand flexibility’ into its energy system in the near future, says EECA technical lead Brian Fitzgerald.
He says it means that smart chargers and other tech like smart heat pumps will be able to receive signals from electricity suppliers to optimise their electricity supply.
“EECA has found that the electricity industry has been largely in favour of the transition to smart chargers as the cost savings, network stability and wider economic benefits are so clear cut,” Fitzgerald explains.
EECA is working with the Electricity Engineers’ Association on a pilot to demonstrate the potential of this two-way communication for EV charging at homes and businesses across NZ which require smart EV chargers.
“The FlexTalk Project will provide us with a playbook for implementing demand flexibility into our energy system, which will mean that consumers have the power to use electricity when it’s cheapest, greenest and most readily available,” says Fitzgerald.
Last year, New Zealand had 55% percent of people considering an EV for their next vehicle purchase.
“This transition will play a key role in decarbonising the transport sector, which accounts for around half of New Zealand’s energy-related emissions,” says EECA transport group manager Richard Briggs.
“If left unmanaged, increased electrification will require an even greater investment in network infrastructure.”
EECA has previously commissioned two EV charger PAS for residential and commercial use, which are both being updated to encourage the smart charger uptake.
The updated residential charger guidance gives advice and technical information on the best smart, efficient, and safe EV chargers that are on the market for use in homes and businesses, as well as a checklist for EV owners to ensure their chargers are installed safely.
Similarly, the commercial charger guidance covers off the types of EV chargers that are designed for use in commercial settings – like private parking facilities, dedicated charging stations, and ‘destination’ chargers that are installed in places such as public gyms, swimming pools and community hubs.
Later in 2023, a third PAS on ‘journey’ EV chargers will be released. They are usually in or near service stations and offer higher kW (typically 75kW+) and faster charging than ‘destination’ chargers.
“Informing the design of EV charging infrastructure with comprehensive technical guidance and information will help ensure New Zealand builds a resilient EV charger system that is energy efficient and fit for a low-emissions economy,” says Briggs.