Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Auckland EV charging goes live!

Earlier in the month we powered on the Greenstage charging station for the first time (this is the 3rd one in NZ according to APEV). This provides charging via a variety of connectors and should cater for any Electric Vehicle in the country.  A vehicle that can connect to a standard New Zealand 10 Amp 240V socket, a 16 Amp EN 60309 2P+E socket (commonly used in motor homes and camping grounds) or a 32 Amp J1772 connector will be able to use the Greenstage charging station.
Greenstage charging station
The charging stations can also be connected to the SolarNetwork.  This allows charge station owners to control and monitor usage.  For example, if it's installed in a public place, it's possible to configure the station to require an EV owner to login to the SolarNetwork and optionally provide payment before charging begins.  This hopefully encourages more people to make their own charging infrastructure public and allows the charge station owner to be remunerated for the service they are providing and the electricity consumed during the charge.  If 50% of EV owners make their charging infrastructure public, it would be a quick way to create a nation wide network!

Currently Greenstage's Auckland based charging station is free and available for friendly EV'ers to drop in any time.  It is located at 19 Newton Rd in the city if you want to check it out and top your EV up.

If you are planning on popping in, please let us know.  We would love to hear any thoughts or feedback on your experience (send it in via email, or comment below).    As a bonus, if you charge while the sun is shining, your car will receive solar generated electricity from the rooftop PV array :)
PV on the roof!
(PHOTO: Tony Nyberg, courtesy Idealog)
Big thanks to Smart Sparky, Electrex and JuicePoint (the suppliers of the J1772 charging equipment) for making this happen.

--Philip

9 comments:

Pyro said...

Hi, Many thanks for making this happen. I have used the station to top up 15% of battery capacity Prius EV operation on 2 occasions when in this area. As my range is 70km to 70% dod, this station is a real boon. Great to refuel with possibly photon power!!! Thanks Phil, and all who have made this happen. Cheers PyroPrius

Philip Court said...

No worries Pyro, thanks for the heads up. We are pleased to know its making a difference!

Unknown said...

Topped up my Fiat 126 electric today, worked well, thanks guys!

Unknown said...

Hi, I topped up my E-max scooter today. Worked great! I live on the shore, great to have a halfway station to charge, Thanks!

Unknown said...

Thank Phil and everyone in your team for making this available in Auckland. I have enough to take me home on my Nissan Leaf. cheers, Ben

Unknown said...

Thank you for this charging station!
Knowing this is so close to home will ease my "range anxiety" when I'm a bit heavy footed in my new Leaf.

Philip Court said...

You're welcome Jeff! I hope it works well for you.

Unknown said...

Thanks Phil for your great charging station in Newton, I work up the road two days a week and live in rural south Auckland so need to charge up to get back home . Your station means bringing our Nissan Leaf into town doable we have only had it a week

Philip Court said...

Previously regular users will be aware that our Newton Rd charging station was decommissioned and removed earlier in the year due to parking space issues and complaints from one of the main tenants. Since then, we have been working with the landlord to get the charging station re-installed, stay tuned for an update soon...