The New Zealand government has launched a second round of zero interest loans worth approximately NZ$21 million through National Infrastructure Funding and Financing (NIFFCo) to support charge point operators deploying public charging networks. The move follows an earlier 2026 round that backed ChargeNet and Meridian Energy projects expected to add 2,574 new charging points and more than double the country's existing public network. The programme supports New Zealand's target of 10,000 public charge points by 2030.
Why it matters: Zero interest government loans lower the cost of capital for CPOs and can unlock projects that struggle with commercial financing terms, particularly in lower density markets. The scale of the first round, which is set to more than double New Zealand's public network, signals that concessional finance can materially accelerate deployment timelines for operators able to access the scheme.