Charging in Public - JET Charge
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Charging in Public

Public chargers are what make it possible for EVs to drive around New Zealand. Wherever you are, we’ve got everything you need to keep your EV on the road today and into the future.

What gear do I need to charge in public?

Many of New Zealand’s public chargers are socketed, meaning they don’t include a cable to plug into your EV. To use these stations, you’ll need to bring your own. Depending on your EV this may be a Type 1 or Type 2 lead or adapter.

Portable chargers that plug into regular AC outlets will be much slower than dedicated EV alternatives. They’re great for emergencies or top-ups but are too slow to charge most modern EVs in a reasonable amount of time. A dedicated home charging station will generally charge your EV at triple the speed of a portable cable (if not more). Public chargers offer the greatest speeds of all, especially DC rapid chargers.

While Type 2 is the New Zealand standard, some public stations still use Type 1 tethered leads, so your needs may vary depending on what’s available on your route and what your EV requires. Thankfully JET Charge stock a full range of adapters and leads to help you connect to any New Zealand network.

Plug types and compatibility

It can be hard to wrap your head around all the different plug types and what sets them apart. Type 2 plugs are the standard in New Zealand, so most stations will be compatible with this design. However, some charging stations do still use Type 1. Make sure you know what kind your EV requires, and bring the appropriate leads or adapters to use the full range of public chargers around New Zealand.

Tesla DC Superchargers are the exception to this rule. While they use Type 2 plugs, they are only accessible by Tesla vehicles. To further complicate matters, Tesla also make AC “Destination” chargers which use the same plugs but may be accessible to non-Teslas if the station manager has enabled legacy mode.

In addition, some EVs will feature a second set of slots below their Type 1 or 2 charge port. These include CHAdeMO & CCS combo plugs and are used by DC charging stations. They won’t be necessary for everyday or home use.

Public charging networks

New Zealand’s public charging infrastructure is growing at an exponential rate. Navigating to these locations is easy thanks to tools like the PlugShare web map or the Chargefox app. Charging locations are now also available on Google Maps.

Featured Resources

Vehicle Plug Types
Vehicle Plug Types
Our detailed guide on all the EV plug types used in New Zealand today.