EVnex and Z Energy home charger partnership raises questions

AN announced association between a major fuel retailer and a homegrown developer of electric vehicle chargers for domestic use has intrigued an EV scene observer.

Z Energy and Christchurch-based Evnex, which already has more than 2500 smart chargers across the country, this week lent some insight into a new partnership for Z’s customers, which will see “more than a thousand” smart chargers provision to homes and small businesses across the country.

Z owned Flick Electric will help with the roll out, which is timed to occur from mid to late this year, according to a media release, but there is nothing yet to explain costs and terms of availability to consumers.

James Foster, an EV driver who established and authors the EVDB.nz website, a well-regarded resource of a wide span of electric vehicle-related data, says the announcement doesn’t address all the questions he has.

He’s keen to know more.

“It’s tempting to accuse fossil-fuel companies of greenwashing, or of making a token effort to transition to low-carbon energy,” he noted.

“(But) while details are vague on what the partnership means, it seems the Z Energy brand is keen to assist in the EV transition.”

He reminds that Z Energy is owned by Australian petroleum company Ampol, whose 2022 priorities including a stated desire to evolve the Ampol brand into EV charging and decarbonisation products.

“It’s clear this mission has been passed onto Z Energy, and Ampol’s other NZ subsidiary, Flick Energy.”

Was this the first sign of a major transition and a signal of the intent, often voiced by major fuel retailers, to re-brand as energy suppliers?

Foster suggests that’s a premature thought.

“Make no mistake, we are a very long way from so-called ‘peak oil’. Service stations are not about to rip out petrol pumps and replace them with EV chargers.”

Installing a home smart charger is expensive, he reminds. Because of that, “many EV owners stay with their three-pin trickle charger (or install a low-cost 16A ‘caravan’ plug).”

“If there were a significant subsidy offered, it would surely be welcomed.”

In supplied comment, Nic Williams, Z’s general manager of Strategy and Low Carbon, said the partnership recognised that a new generation of fuel is powering cars.

Data from the Motor Industry Association, which represents almost all new vehicle distributors, shows sales of new electrified vehicles nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022, going from 23,173 to 41,103 registrations.

“Z is serious about supporting electrification of transport both in customers’ homes and across its service station network as we look for opportunities to lead the development of a low carbon economy,” Williams says.

Ed Harvey, Evnex founder and chief executive, said the partnership with Z reflects a changing energy landscape.

“The next two years will be a turning point for EVs in NZ. Last year, the pure EV market share grew from around four percent to 10 percent.

“With more models available and advancements in technology and manufacturing steadily reducing cost, we expect that trend to accelerate exponentially.

“As we’ve worked with Z over the past few years, their team has demonstrated a genuine commitment to decarbonisation and electrification.

“Collectively, our organisations believe the pathway forward is clear, and Evnex is excited about working with Z to deliver customers a world-class charging experience and innovative ways to reduce the cost and carbon impact of their charging,” he added.

According to Z, “the home and small business charging solution is being targeted to Z’s customers who have or are transitioning to an EV/fleet of EVs.”

Further consideration is under way as to whether this will be expanded to include Flick’s existing customer base.

“The intent is to launch the offering with a variety of plans to suit customers' varying needs.”

Separately, Z Energy striving to expand its on-site EV charger network, with more than 40 planned to come online by 2025.

At present, only seven are operational - in Auckland, Turangi, Wellington and Christchurch - but the end of this year Z wants to have EV charging available at one in five of its sites, strengthening to two in five within five years.