Electric vehicle charging poses a serious threat to the energy system if users charge at the wrong time, lines companies say.
Most EV owners - more than 4 out of 5 - have so far preferred to use 3-pin chargers or a wall box monitor, according to Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority data.
Neither of those options are set up for two-way communication with the grid and they charge as soon as you plug in.
That means lines companies struggle to manage demand and they are warning they'll need to spend more than is required to accommodate it.
Smart chargers can talk to the grid, target charging away from peak times and cost in the range of $1,000 to $2,000.
EECA says its modelling shows widespread smart charger use could save the country $4 billion by 2050 by taking stress out of the grid.
The United Kingdom has put in rules enforcing smart charger use, so should New Zealand follow suit?
Marcos Pelenur, chief executive of EECA, joins Kathryn to discuss the smart chargers.
Photo: Supplied by EECA
