Meridian has reported a 30% increase in active users of its EV charging network (those charging at least once a week on average) in the last six months, as more New Zealanders make the switch to electric vehicles.
The growth comes as Meridian continues to invest in building a nationwide charging network that is helping make EV travel easier and more convenient, and to give Kiwis more confidence to jump behind the wheel of an EV.
“What’s clear is that EVs are becoming a mainstream choice for Kiwis. The growth isn’t just in vehicle sales, it’s in the number of people regularly using public EV chargers as part of everyday life,” says Meridian Chief Customer Officer Lisa Hannifin.
The growth is being seen in both increasing EV ownership and continued investment in charging infrastructure:
- Figures from EVDB for January to September 2026 show that EV and PHEV sales reached 23.7% market share
- Year on year, the proportion of EVs and PHEVs sold has increased by 166.9%, and 111.6% respectively.
- Meridian’s public charging network has grown to 570 public EV charge-points, with 335 in the South Island and 235 in the North Island.
- Over the last 12 months, the amount of electricity delivered through Meridian’s public EV network has more than doubled compared with the previous year.
Having focused on improving the South Island network over the last two years, Meridian is now expanding its North Island network, with a further 36 North Island charge-points coming online in the next few months, including ultra-rapid chargers in Hawke’s Bay, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, Palmerston North, Warkworth and Hamilton.
“Driving an EV isn’t just a cleaner choice, it can be a smart financial choice too. Using electricity to power both your home and your car creates a real opportunity to reduce your total energy costs,” says Lisa Hannifin.
“We want to make it as easy as possible for more Kiwis to take advantage of that. We’re on a mission to deliver New Zealand’s largest and most-loved EV network, and it’s encouraging to see just how many Kiwi EV drivers are already tapping into that network and enjoying electric transport.”
EV market snapshot
New light vehicle sales in New Zealand, September 2026 (share by fuel type, compared with September 2025), according to EVDB NZ EV Market Stats:
- Fully electric vehicles (EV): 16.3% of new light vehicle sales, up from 5.1% (2,662 units, units up 289.8% year on year)
- Plug-in hybrids (PHEV): 9.0%, up from 4.1% (1,476 units)
- All plug-in vehicles (EV + PHEV): 25.3%, up from 9.2% (4,138 units)
- Petrol: 24.6%, down from 33.2%
About Meridian Energy
Meridian Energy is New Zealand’s largest electricity generator, producing 100% of its electricity from renewable sources – hydro, wind and solar. Listed on the NZX (MEL) and ASX (MEZ), Meridian operates a portfolio of hydro stations, wind farms and battery storage across Aotearoa, with further wind, solar and battery storage projects underway to support the country’s transition to a low-carbon future. Meridian is also one of the country’s largest retailers of electricity to customers through its Meridian and Powershop brands.
For more information, visit www.meridianenergy.co.nz.
Media Release on 22 October 2026
Media Contact
Lachlan Forsyth, Meridian Energy
Media and Content Manager
Phone: 021 243 5342
Email: lachlan.forsyth@meridianenergy.co.nz
Website: https://www.meridianenergy.co.nz/