In the last blog Raymond shared his exciting driving & charging experience in Auckland and Napier, let’s continue his EV road trip in NZ.
4th day - Wellington
Raymond discovered during the roadtrip that he doesn't need to undergo a full recharge every time he plugs in his Tesla. Thanks to Tesla's innovative features, the car can analyze the details of your planned trip in its navigation system, and recommend the minimum charging time required if you're in a hurry.
Palmerston North Central’s Tesla Supercharger was a bit disappointed, as two charging bays were blocked by construction work, and one of the remaining superchargers was out of service. Luckily, the center also provides complimentary EV charging at a rate of 7kW. That slow charger was sufficient to boost Raymond's Tesla's range just enough while he enjoyed his lunch.
Tesla Supercharger at Paraparaumu (around 50km north of Wellington) is amazing, able to charge 1,000km in one hour! Also, when you put the supercharger location in Tesla’s navigation, do not just input the address. Instead, you should look up the supercharger from the navigation system, this way the car will pre-condition the battery for supercharging on your way to the supercharger. Tesla’s onboard computer system heats or cools the battery to its optimal temperature for charging, this helps to maximize the charging speed and efficiency, as well as prolong the battery's overall lifespan.
5th day - New Plymouth
Charging the Tesla in Wellington is easy as there are a few Z EV Charging Stations available. Furthermore, there is another Tesla Supercharger at Johnsonville, located around 10km away from Wellington CBD.
When Raymond initially searched for Tesla Superchargers from Wellington to New Plymouth on Google, none appeared. However, upon using the in-car navigation system, he discovered two Supercharging stations along the route—one in Bulls and the other in New Plymouth. This highlights the importance of relying on the in-car navigation for accurate information about Supercharger locations.
In addition to Tesla Superchargers, the ChargeNet NZ network is also impressive, boasting charging stations even in remote locations as in the photo below. This app is an essential tool for EV drivers in New Zealand. However, it's worth noting that one advantage of Tesla Superchargers is the convenience of always having amenities like restrooms or cafes nearby.
6th day – Hamilton & Auckland
Raymond's final recharge before returning to airport was at the Tesla Supercharger in Hamilton, conveniently situated at Te AWA Shopping Mall. While charging, he had the opportunity to interview two fellow Tesla owners. Interestingly, both were Aucklanders on a day trip to Hamilton. Surprisingly, neither of them had embarked on an EV trip to Wellington. They were astonished to learn that Raymond had just completed an impressive 1,600km journey across the North Island with his Tesla. One owner mentioned that she was using Z Energy EV Home Plan, which allows three hours of free charging every night (from 3am to 6am).
In summary, Raymond thoroughly enjoyed his road trip in New Zealand. It wasn't just the scenic views that captivated him, but also the realization that driving an EV in New Zealand is far more convenient than he initially thought. Now, he's eager to share his positive experience with more EV enthusiasts.
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