Toyota New Zealand and its luxury brand, Lexus, are accelerating their electrified mobility journey, naming New Zealand manufacturer Evnex as official partner and supplier of smart home EV chargers following a comprehensive review of the electric vehicle charging market.

Toyota sought a charging partner as its lineup of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV) and Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV) has more than doubled this year with the launch of a Hilux BEV, a RAV4 PHEV, the bZ4X Touring (a larger version of the battery electric bZ4X), and a second generation bZ4X.

Toyota NZ Chief Executive Officer, Tatsuya Ishikawa, says partnering with Evnex, was a natural move for Toyota which aims to make electrified mobility more practical and accessible for New Zealand customers and fleet operators.

“Electrification isn't just about building great vehicles. It's about making ownership simple, practical and confidence-inspiring. As we expand our electrified vehicle lineup, we're equally focused on the ecosystem that supports our customers long after they drive away.

“When looking closely at Evnex, a local company based in Christchurch, we saw a strong alignment with our customer-first approach.

“Evnex ticks a lot of boxes for us as they have a nationwide installation network, which matches our nationwide store coverage, local manufacturing, proven customer experience, sustainability credentials and, most importantly, a future technology roadmap,” he says.

Ishikawa says that while New Zealand’s EV charging infrastructure is rapidly growing with support from the Government, EV and PHEV owners primarily charge at home or at work.  Home charging, and what it costs to install, is often part of the purchase decision. Evnex chargers suit most single and three-phase homes and workplaces, with no switchboard or meter upgrades needed.

“A key practical challenge for many customers and organisations considering battery electric vehicles is access to reliable charging infrastructure. We know that partnering with Evnex will give our customers a solution backed by reliable installation, excellent service and long-term support,” he says.

Evnex Founder and CEO, Ed Harvey, says the company is well placed to partner with the country’s leading auto brand. Since their launch in 2013, Evnex has grown into the largest manufacturer of home EV chargers in Australasia.

“We’re on a mission to make clean and affordable energy effortless for every home,” explains Harvey. The Christchurch based team are well on their way to achieving that mission, with more than 16,000 Evnex chargers powering EV drivers across New Zealand and Australia. “We’re extremely excited to be working with Toyota New Zealand to grow that number as they continue their electrified journey,” says Harvey.  

Choosing a local manufacturer was important for Toyota New Zealand as it meant their customers could have confidence their home EV charger was built for New Zealand conditions and supported by Evnex’s Christchurch based team seven days a week.

“Delivering outstanding service is one of our core values at Evnex. That's something Toyota excels at too, and we're looking forward to working together to drive the future of smart EV charging,” adds Harvey.

Although this partnership is intended for both private vehicle purchases as well as fleet, the first demonstration of the partnership will be the rollout of the Hilux BEV Driver Series. The series places the new Hilux BEV with up to 15 fleet decision-makers across New Zealand from August to November 2026, providing hands-on experience with the vehicle in everyday commercial operations. The Driver Series serves as a practical proof point for how vehicle and charging solutions can work together to support fleet electrification.

Ishikawa says the Hilux BEV Driver Series will provide real-world testing by placing vehicles with fleet decision-makers operating in genuine commercial environments.

The Hilux BEV has been developed for specific fleet and commercial applications where vehicle usage patterns align with battery-electric technology. Toyota is not positioning the Hilux BEV as a direct replacement for diesel across all use cases. Toyota's multi-pathway strategy recognises that different customers require different solutions, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery-electric vehicles and other lower-emission technologies.

Through this partnership, Evnex will support Driver Series participants with access to home and workplace charging solutions where required. Evnex’s E2 range, which adds up to 50km of range per hour and can automatically schedule charging for off-peak rates or prioritise solar, is the preferred solution for most participants.

Under the partnership, Toyota customers will have access to charging solutions supported by Evnex's installation, service and customer support capabilities.

Toyota customers will receive an enhanced five-year charger warranty through Evnex, extending beyond Evnex's standard four-year product warranty. This aligns with Toyota's New Vehicle Extended Warranty programme for eligible customers.