EV Charging Solutions
Safety Warning!
While generally safer than cars with internal combustion engines, electric cars can still pose a risk to
life and property if used incorrectly. At Blue Cars we take safety seriously and we want to bring
attention to some unsafe practices we have witnessed in the EV market in New Zealand.
Electric cars are usually sold with a portable EVSE (see below). Importers of used cars must modify
this portable EVSE to use a New Zealand plug. Of the several options available, some importers use
plugs that we think are unsafe and/or which pose an increased risk of starting a fire.
PDL 56-Series Plug (15 A)
These plugs look similar to the 3-pin plugs you have around
home. In theory, these plugs are rated for 15 A, as compared
to standard 3-pin plugs, which are only rated for 10 A.
The main problem with these plugs is that electric cars draw
high current for a sustained period. Testing by Blue Cars and
others has shown that these plugs can be at risk of
overheating from the continuous high load of charging an EV.
Standard 3-pin Plug (10 A)
These plugs are rated for 10 A and should not overheat if used
properly, but some EV importers have been installing these on
Nissan EVSE’s, which can draw up to 14 A. At this current they
pose a real risk of overheating and catching fire.
If you have a Nissan EVSE, which has been supplied with one
of these plugs – stop using it until you’ve had a qualified
electrician check how much current it draws.
Blue “Caravan” Plug (16 A)
These plugs have larger pins that can handle continuous
operation at their full rated current and which are much less
likely to come loose if bumped. Another advantage is that
there are already thousands of caravan sockets installed in
holiday parks and camp-sites across the country, many of
whom offer charging to customers.
Our recommended portable charging solution – the “SPARK”
cable from Charge Amps – has one of these plugs, giving you
both maximum safety and convenience in one solution.
EV Charging Solutions
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Introduction
The charging circuit for an electric car has up to five parts, as below.
Power Supply
Charging EVs draw high current over several hours, so we
recommend charging from a dedicated circuit. You may need to
have a new one installed from your switchboard. Otherwise
you risk tripping a circuit breaker or even starting a fire.
Connection Point
You will need to decide whether you want a hardwired EVSE or
one you can unplug and take with you (on holiday for example).
Most EV owners keep a mobile EVSE in their car and install a
hardwired one at home and/or their place of work.
Adapter Cable
Power sockets come in different shapes and sizes (as in image
above), depending on the amount of current they can handle.
An adapter cable increases the number of places you can use
your mobile EVSE – great for traveling or going on holiday.
EV Supply Equipment (EVSE)
An EVSE connects the power supply to you EV. It is sometimes
called a “charging cable”, but it is really just a cable with some
control and protection circuitry built in (the pictured SPARK
cable has it built into the handle).
Charger
Electric cars have an AC (alternating current) battery charger built in. This is typically rated for a
current of 16 A, although some EV makes and models can draw 32 A or more. The charger converts
AC power from your supply to DC (direct current) for charging your car’s battery. At fast charging
stations, the fast charger is installed at the station and supplies DC power direct to your battery.
EV Charging Solutions
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Pricing
Our prices listed in the product descriptions below and on our website are all in NZD and include GST.
We charge a flat rate of $10 for freight to anywhere in New Zealand, regardless of order size. For
customers looking to order higher volumes we can offer the following discounts:
Order Units
1-3
4-9
10-49
50+
Volume Discount
None
-10%
-12.5%
-15%
Power Supply & Socket
Charging an electric car requires high current over several hours. To avoid overloading the circuits in
your home or office, we recommend installing a separate dedicated circuit for each charger. Unless
you have a spare circuit near to where you will charge, you will need to get an electrician to install a
new circuit breaker and run a cable from your switchboard.
Other points to consider:
1. Current rating of the new circuit (we recommend at least 16 A).
2. Whether you will need to upgrade your main supply (ask your electrician).
3. Whether you’re happy using a portable EVSE, or whether you also want a wall-mount unit.
4. For hardwired wall-mounted EVSE’s, consider installing a socket beside it as a backup.
EV Supply Equipment & Adapters
Blue Cars stocks and sells a range of EVSE’s and adapters. We import some from overseas, make
some ourselves here in New Zealand and offer the rest through partnership agreements with other
businesses here in New Zealand.
EVSE / Adapter
Current
Plug Type
Cable
List Price
JuicePoint Portable (EVI)
8A
Standard 3-pin (3112)
5m
$685
Nissan “Brick” (pre-used)
12-14 A
Blue ”Caravan” (CEE)
6m
$695
Charge Amps ”SPARK”
6 /10 /16 A
Blue ”Caravan” (CEE)
7.5 m
$945
Charge Amps ”SPARK”
6 /10 /16 A
Blue ”Caravan” (CEE)
10 m
$995
Rolec WallPod
16 /32* A
Hardwired
Various
$1295
JuicePoint ElektroBay
16 /32* A
Hardwired
Various
$1495
Adapter to 3-pin Plug
10 A -> 16 A
Standard 3-pin (3112)
1m
$95
Adapter to Caravan Plug
16 A -> 15 A
Blue ”Caravan” (CEE)
0.3 m
$155
EV Charging Solutions
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Mobile EVSE – JuicePoint “EVI Cable”
Condition
New item (12 month warranty)
Plug Type
Standard 3-pin (10 A)
Current
8 A (Nominal)
Charge Time
12 hrs
Cable Length
5m
Advantages
LCD display shows current and kWh-meter
Drawbacks
Control box, charging speed
Price
EV Charging Solutions
$685 (incl GST)
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Mobile EVSE – Nissan “Brick”
Condition
Pre-used item (3 month warranty)
Plug Type
Blue “Caravan” (CEE)
Current
12 – 14 A
Charge Time
6-7 hrs
Cable Length
6m
Advantages
Quality, reliability, faster charging
Drawbacks
Bulky, heavy, short plug lead
Price
EV Charging Solutions
$695 (incl GST)
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Mobile EVSE – Charge Amps “SPARK”
Condition
New item (12 month warranty)
Plug Form
Blue “Caravan” Plug (16 A)
Current
Charge Time
Cable Length
6 / 10 / 16 A
6 - 16 hrs (depends on current)
7.5 m
10 m
Advantages
No box, long cable, three current settings
Drawbacks
Needs an adapter to charge from a 3-pin socket
Price
$945 (incl GST)
EV Charging Solutions
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$995 (incl GST)
Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Wall-mount EVSE – Rolec “WallPod”
Condition
New item (12 month warranty)
Plug Type
Hardwired (no plug)
Current
16 / 32 A
Charge Time
6 / 3 hrs
Options
Various configurations
Advantages
Fast to use, timer function, secure
Drawbacks
Higher cost, not portable
Price
EV Charging Solutions
From $1,295 (incl GST)
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Wall-mount EVSE – JuicePoint “ElektroBay”
Condition
New item (12 month warranty)
Plug Type
Hardwired (no plug)
Current
16 / 32 A
Charge Time
6 / 3 hrs
Options
Various Configurations
Advantages
Fast to use, timer function, secure
Drawbacks
Still need a mobile EVSE also
Price
EV Charging Solutions
From $1,495 (incl GST)
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Adapter – Caravan Connector to 3-pin Plug (10 A)
Condition
New item (12 month warranty)
Plug Type
Caravan connector to 3-pin plug (10 A)
Current
Charge Time
Length
Circuit breaker rating 10 A
ca. 10 hrs
1m
Advantages
Maximize potential charging locations
Drawbacks
Indoors only (plug and MCB)
Price
EV Charging Solutions
$95 (incl GST)
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop
Adapter – PDL Connector (15 A) to Caravan Plug
Condition
New item (12 month warranty)
Plug Type
PDL 3-pin connector (15 A) to Caravan Plug
Current
16 / 32 A
Charge Time
6 / 3 hrs
Length
0.3 m
Advantages
Robust components
Drawbacks
Higher cost, non-standard solution
Price
EV Charging Solutions
$155 (incl GST)
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Website: bluecars.nz/shop