Woolworths New Zealand has launched a commercial EV charging facility to support its expanding electric delivery fleet, which has grown from three trucks in November to 27 by the end of this month. The fleet is projected to reach 800,000 kilometres by the end of August and one million kilometres by December 2026. Managing Director Sally Copland said the retailer is leading last mile home delivery decarbonisation, building on seven years of testing that began with a pioneering fleet in 2019.
Why it matters: The charging hub and rapid fleet expansion demonstrate how major retailers are investing in dedicated depot infrastructure to support commercial EV operations at scale. The project offers procurement teams a case study in phased fleet electrification, with real world mileage data informing infrastructure sizing and rollout timelines.
WoolworthsNew Zealand9 Aug 2026Source Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Energy Minister Simeon Brown have announced a second funding round of zero-interest loans for EV charging infrastructure, awarding contracts to ChargeNet and Meridian Energy to deliver 2,574 new charge points. The loans cover up to 50% of project capital costs at zero interest over terms of up to 13 years, assessed through open procurement. New Zealand aims to install 10,000 public chargers by 2030, requiring roughly 174 installations per month, with a target ratio of one public charger for every 40 EVs.
Why it matters: The concessionary loan model demonstrates how governments can unlock private sector investment in charging infrastructure without direct subsidies, offering a replicable procurement framework for other markets. For CPOs, the 50% capital cost coverage and 13 year zero-interest terms present a compelling risk-sharing structure that could accelerate deployment timelines in underdeveloped networks.
