The future of electric vehicle rapid-charging has already become reality at Farmer Autovillage with the installation of the very first 175kW DC fast charger in the Bay of Plenty.

Installed with co-funding from the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (LEVCF), which is administered by EECA (Energy Efficiency & Conservation Authority), the high-tech charge station at Farmer Autovillage will be available for 24/7 public use starting from April 10.

The EV charger is located outside of the Farmer Nissan showroom with vehicle access from the corner of Maru Street and Hewletts Road, Mt Maunganui.

“We wanted to take a leadership position on EV infrastructure in our city and surrounding areas and this is the first step,”said Mike Farmer, Group Managing Director.

“Over the coming years we will see a significant lift in affordable electric vehicles across all segments from all of the brands we currently represent,” he said.

The new charging station is compatible with the CCS and CHAdeMO platforms. The capability to charge at up to 175kW can provide substantially faster charging times than the small number of 50kW public EV chargers presently available in the Tauranga and Mt Maunganui area. 

EECA Transport Portfolio Manager Richard Briggs said, “We’re pleased to see a member of the motor vehicle industry taking this positive step. This project not only expands the charging options in the Bay of Plenty, it also demonstrates to people in the market for a new car that electric and hybrid vehicles are a great choice. Knowledgeable, engaged dealers will really make a difference to drive uptake.” 

The new charger will be available 24/7 for all electric vehicle owners and is easily activated via the “Open Loop” app. For the first three months of operation rapid-charging is being offered free-of-charge, after which time electricity will be priced at 60 cents per kWh (kilowatt hour).

During normal business hours the short wait required for vehicles to be fast-charged can be spent inside the award-winning destination dealership at Farmer Autovillage, where a cafe and business lounge is available along with wide selection new and used vehicles.

The fast-charger installation supports a rapidly-expanding choice of full electric and hybrid vehicles available from several of the Farmer Autovillage.

The EV entry point is MG’s first electric SUV, the MG ZS EV – which has just won the AutoCar Electric Vehicle of the Year award – starting from only $49,990 plus on road costs.

The Nissan range includes the new generation LEAF while Audi boasts an expanding line-up of premium EVs including the flagship Audi e-tron in SUV and Sportback body styles while pre-orders are already being taken for the new e-tron GT model ahead of its arrival later in 2021.