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.