EVs strain NZ power grid, company warns

author: FutureCar Staff    

Demand for electricity from electric vehicle (EV) owners is on the rise in New Zealand, as reported by Evnex CEO Ed Harvey. As more EVs with larger batteries enter the market, local EV charger company Evnex warns that the country's power grid may face increased strain.

Evnex has a network of over 3,500 'smart chargers' across New Zealand, which enables them to collect data on when users typically plug in their vehicles, how long they charge them for, and the impact on the grid. According to Evnex's recent release, the average energy consumption during EV charging sessions has been increasing year-on-year, with home charging sessions using about 20% more energy since 2021.

Concerns among consumers about 'range anxiety' in EVs with limited range have led manufacturers to equip their latest models with larger batteries, offering customers more practicality. However, this has resulted in longer charging times and a greater demand for more powerful chargers.

Evnex CEO Ed Harvey acknowledges that the industry is experiencing a shift as vehicles like the Nissan Leaf are replaced by models with batteries twice the size or even larger. Harvey expects the demand for energy to continue increasing as longer-range vehicles become more prevalent.

While the maximum energy capacity for residential EV charging currently stands at around 90kWh, it remains to be seen if this will hold as electric utes and trucks enter the fleet. Luxury EVs already come with batteries of 90kWh and higher, with some models, such as the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV, featuring a 120kWh battery.

As heavy electric vehicles, including utes and large SUVs, become more common in New Zealand, the median battery size is expected to grow further. Evnex notes that EV owners in the country are adapting well to the charging challenge, with data showing that 60% of overnight charging sessions are delayed to take advantage of cheaper or free energy offered by certain power suppliers.

Evnex CEO Ed Harvey explains that the power grid operates below its capacity for most of the day, allowing retailers to manage demand effectively. He suggests that similar offers for discounted energy may also be available during the middle of the day in the future. However, some parts of the network may need upgrades to meet the increasing energy demands, especially as EV distribution varies across the country. Smart charging technology will play a crucial role in managing capacity.

According to the Evnex Summer 2023 report, most EV owners either charge their vehicles for three hours or less or between 10 and 15 hours, two to three days per week. While evening charging remains popular, daytime charging is becoming more common, partly due to customers utilizing solar energy.

FutureCar Staff