EVs strain power grid

author: FutureCar Staff    

Demand for electricity from electric vehicle (EV) owners in New Zealand is on the rise, according to Evnex CEO Ed Harvey. As more EVs with larger batteries enter the market, local EV charger firm 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 allows them to collect data on when users typically plug in their vehicles, how long they charge them for, and the impact on the grid. The company recently confirmed that the average energy delivered in EV charging sessions has been increasing year-on-year, with home charging sessions consuming approximately 20% more energy since 2021.

The concern over 'range anxiety' in EVs with limited range has led manufacturers to equip their latest models with larger batteries, providing customers with more practicality. However, this has also resulted in longer charging times and a demand for more powerful chargers. Evnex CEO Ed Harvey notes that the industry is witnessing a shift, with older EV models like the Nissan Leaf being replaced by vehicles with batteries double the size or even larger.

With the introduction of EV utes and trucks, the demand for energy is expected to continue growing. While the maximum energy in a residential setting for EV charging has currently stabilized at around 90kWh, it remains to be seen if this will hold as larger EVs enter the fleet.

As the median battery size is predicted to increase with the arrival of heavier electric vehicles like utes and large SUVs, Evnex highlights that New Zealanders with these EVs are adapting well to the charging challenge. Their data shows that 60% of overnight charging sessions are delayed to take advantage of cheaper or even free energy offered by certain power suppliers.

Evnex emphasizes that there is still room for retailers to manage demand, as the power grid operates below its capacity for most of the day. In the future, similar offers may be available during the middle of the day. However, some parts of the network may need to be upgraded to meet the growing energy demands of EVs, especially since EV distribution is not evenly spread 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. Charging at the end of the day is still the most common, although daytime charging is becoming increasingly popular, partly due to customers utilizing solar power.

FutureCar Staff