A new best practice document aimed at future-proofing residential electric vehicle charging is under development by EECA and Standards New Zealand.
EECA has commissioned Standards New Zealand to develop a voluntary guideline (Publicly Available Specification) for residential electric vehicle charging as part of its work to support the shift away from fossil fuels.
Strategy GM Dr Marcos Pelenur says there are more than 17,000 residential electric vehicles in New Zealand and the Specification will support the uptake of EVs.
"This document will provide consumers with quality guidance on safe, efficient and smart home chargers."
Dr Pelenur says the specification will describe the types of EV chargers suitable for use in residential homes and provide an overview of questions to ask sellers of vehicles and chargers.
"It will also include a technical specification for energy efficient, safe, interoperable residential chargers that will perform well for many years."
"By ensuring residential EV chargers are safe to use and able to be communicated with, we will help create a national residential charging network that is future-proofed and flexible," Dr Pelenur says.
Standards New Zealand Senior Project Manager, Chris Forsman, says they are pleased to support EECA in its drive towards emerging technologies.
"The development of Publicly Available Specifications is a highly effective tool for leading government agencies, such as EECA, which is involved in markets where there is rapidly evolving technology. Guidelines are designed to help consumers make better informed decisions by removing obstacles to the successful uptake of innovative technologies."
Other specifications commissioned by EECA include biomass boilers, high temperature heat pumps and EV chargers in commercial settings.
The Specification for residential electric vehicle chargers will be open for public comment until 22 January 2021.