Eastland Group is opening up the spectacular East Coast region to EV drivers, with the introduction of new high speed charging stations.
Wairoa and Matawai each have a 50kW fast charging unit, and both went live today. Tolaga Bay’s 25kW unit will be open soon.
EV charging stations are also coming to Putorino, Morere and Te Araroa early in the new year. This will bring the total in the region to seven, and means that the scenic East Coast and Pacific Coast Highway will be fully accessible to all EV drivers.
“Gisborne and the wider East Coast region is a bit of an undiscovered gem, and one that we know EV drivers are keen to explore,” said Eastland Group chief executive Matt Todd. “From this week, they’ll be able to drive from Napier through to Gisborne, through the Waioeka Gorge to or from Opotiki, and up the Coast.”
“This is a vitally important project for the region and our economy. Now that we’re connecting up to the rest of the North Island’s charging network, we’ll welcome more tourists than ever before. Crucially, local individuals and businesses can consider switching to EVs as they‘re now a genuinely viable, cost-effective, low-emission option.”
Eastland Group owns the region’s lines company, Eastland Network, as well as Eastland Port and electricity generator Eastland Generation, and operates Gisborne Airport. The company has committed to ensuring at least 75% of its non-commercial vehicle fleet is electric by 2019. And, it’s leading Tairāwhiti’s exploration of emerging technologies, recently launching New Zealand’s first community-focused energy hub, Electric Village.
Eastland Group partnered with Hawke’s Bay-based lines company Unison to help connect the southern route between Gisborne and Napier with EV charging facilities.
The project has been funded by Eastland Group, their shareholder Eastland Community Trust, and a $251,000 grant from the government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.
East Coast EV charging stations:
23 Gladstone Road, Gisborne
75 Queen Street, Wairoa
6522 Matawai Road, Matawai
33 Cook Street, Tolaga Bay