Electric vehicle owners driving through the Hurunui District are now able to charge their vehicles at the new public charging station in Culverden. The charging station is a key part of the soon to be completed Culverden Service Hub.

The new station is the result of a joint partnership between the Hurunui District Council, ChargeNet and Mainpower. ChargeNet hope the charging station will be the first of many around the district, with installation of their new station in the Countdown Amberley car park scheduled in the coming months.

Hurunui District Council’s Project Manager, Gary Harris, says the charging station is the result of the three organisations coming together to share resources and produce a great outcome for the Hurunui’s infrastructure.

“The council was already developing the Service Hub at the Culverden site and was therefore funding power to the public restrooms. MainPower then came on board and funded the extension of the power supply to the new charger and the installation of hardware. The station hardware itself is supplied at no cost by ChargeNet who operate the charger once installed.”

In addition to the EV charging station, once completed the Culverden Service Hub will also include a new toilet block and dumping station. The council hopes the service hub will be a well-used facility for the community and will ensure that increased visitor numbers are met with up to date facilities. Amuri-Hurunui Ward Councillor Dick Davison says it is pleasing to see the results of the council working together with different organisations to create a valuable asset for Culverden and Electric vehicle users travelling through the district.

“It is fantastic the council is encouraging further uptake of this innovative form of transportation and I look forward to the completion of the service hub which will be a great addition to the district’s tourism infrastructure.”

The council’s Culverden Service Hub is being funded by grants obtained for the project from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s (MBIE) regional mid-sized tourism fund, to enhance visitor experiences.

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