Woolworths NZ opens commercial EV charging hub in Penrose

Woolworths New Zealand has opened a 15-bay fast-charging hub at its Penrose eStore to support the expansion of its electric vehicle (EV) home delivery fleet. The facility is designed to accelerate the company's transition toward decarbonizing its transport operations.

The company's electric delivery fleet has grown from three vehicles in November to 27 by the end of this month. Woolworths aims to have 57 next-generation electric trucks operating nationwide by the end of June next year, with all 42 home delivery trucks based at the Penrose site expected to be electric by that time.

Managing Director Sally Copland noted that the initiative follows seven years of real-world testing since the company's initial EV pilot in 2019. The new trucks are equipped with advanced driver assistance systems, 360-degree cameras, and air brakes to enhance safety. The fleet is projected to exceed one million kilometers of travel by December.