One of the best parts of owning an EV is skipping the petrol station and starting each morning with enough charge for the day. Around 80% of Kiwi EV owners do more than half of their charging at home, so getting the setup right can make everyday driving much easier.
Setting up home charging involves more than choosing between a three-pin cable and a wall-mounted unit. You’ll also need to check what your home’s electrical system can support, find a suitable installation spot and hire a registered electrician if you’re installing a fixed charger.
From comparing your charging options to getting the final compliance documents, this guide will take you through everything you need to know to set up an EV charger at home in New Zealand.
There are a range of options for charging your EV at home. The first question you need to ask yourself is, how fast do I want to be able to charge my vehicle.
This is the cable that comes standard with your vehicle. You can plug your charging cable into any wall socket in your garage or outside your home. This is often referred to as a Level 1 charge.
Wall-mounted models are faster than using your 3-pin plug and still make charging at home fast and convenient.
‘Smart’ wall-mounted chargers require an electrician to fix a smart charger to the wall of your garage. They’re safe, convenient, and the fastest way to charge your EV at home.
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Smart chargers can also help with battery maintenance, helping them last longer. Read our full EV maintenance guide for more.
Once you’ve decided that a wall-mounted charger is the right option, the next step is getting it installed safely. In New Zealand, a fixed EV wall charger is not a DIY job. You’ll need a registered electrician to check your home, install the charger, and provide the correct paperwork once the work is complete.
Before buying a wall charger, ask a registered electrician or EV charger specialist to assess your home. This will determine whether your home can support a smart wall charger or a standard model. You may need to upgrade your switchboard before installing a smart charger.
Your electrician should check:
This is especially important for older New Zealand homes, homes with older switchboards, or households that already use a lot of electricity for heating, hot water, cooking or other appliances.
V charging equipment should be designed to work with New Zealand’s 230 or 400 volt, 50 Hz supply, and your supplier should be able to provide the correct compliance documentation.
WorkSafe and the EECA have already done the hard work of compiling NZ-approved EV wall chargers for you. You can find a list of them on the EECA website, as well as the dimensions and other important details.
If you’re buying a charger online, be careful with imported models. A cheaper overseas unit may not meet New Zealand requirements, may not work properly with local electrical systems, and may create problems for your electrician, insurer or warranty.
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Your wall charger needs to be placed on either an internal wall, if you want to charge your car in the garage, or an external wall if you want to charge your car in the driveway.
When choosing the location, think about:
New Zealand chargers and plugs are designed for outdoor use in all weather, so there’s no problem if you want to charge your EV outside.
Before installing, check there’s enough space on either side of where the wall charger will go. This will prevent the wall unit from overheating.
You’ll need to install the charger 1.2 m–1.4 m above the ground and ensure there’s enough space from the charger to either side of your car.
For a smart charger, also check that the location has a reliable Wi-Fi or mobile signal if the unit needs connectivity for app controls, software updates or smart scheduling.
In New Zealand, you must hire a registered electrician to install your EV charger. Ideally, choose someone who has experience with EV chargers, especially if you’re installing a smart charger, adding load management or upgrading your switchboard.
Your electrician should:
For a standard wall charger, the installation may be fairly straightforward if your switchboard and parking location are suitable.
For a smart charger, your electrician may also need to connect the charger to Wi-Fi, configure load management, check app pairing or set up charging schedules. Make sure you understand which parts are included in the installation quote
WorkSafe also recommends you:
Once the installation is complete, your electrician should present you with a certificate of compliance. This usually includes a Certificate of Compliance and an Electrical Safety Certificate for fixed wiring work. This ensures that the installation meets New Zealand EV electrical safety standards.
With your EV wall charger up and working, you can expect your electricity bill to go up slightly. Don’t worry, you’ll still be saving significantly compared with petrol costs, especially if you charge at the right times.
If you have a smart wall charger, you can programme it to charge automatically during cheaper off-peak hours. If you have a standard wall charger, you may still be able to schedule charging through your EV’s own settings, but this is not always possible.
Depending on when you charge your vehicle, you might want to consider switching electricity companies or moving to a plan that offers cheaper off-peak rates. In New Zealand, these are often overnight or on weekends, although the exact hours depend on your provider and plan.
Note: A cheap overnight rate is only useful if your car is usually plugged in during that window. Most EV owners fall into a simple routine: plug in when you get home, charge during off-peak hours, and wake up with enough range for the day.
Don’t let the thought of choosing and installing a home charger put you off getting an EV. New Zealand makes it easy to not only install your EV charger, but also buy an EV, with residents being spoilt for choice. From BYD to Tesla, BMW to Toyota, you’ll find dealerships located in most of our largest cities.
If you don’t live near a dealer, don’t worry. With Wise Move, you can buy an EV anywhere in the country, book a trusted car transport service, and get it delivered to your door.
