The Queenstown Lakes District Council hopes to bring Wanaka into the future with a proposal to install two fast electric car chargers in the town's main street, but some people are more concerned about the present.
A proposal to install the fast electric vehicle charging stations in Ardmore St will be presented to the Wanaka Community Board at its May 11 meeting.
The preferred location for the stations is on both sides of Ardmore St outside the council's Wanaka office.
All of the costs of the installation would be covered by Charge Net which has been given government funding to install 100 such stations across New Zealand by the end of the year.
As well as the two charging stations, the proposal includes making four parking spaces dedicated electric vehicle parking stalls.
Part of the proposal includes creating three new parking spaces outside the old fire station, next to the council's office.
There has been criticism of the removal of parking spaces on social media.
Parking continues to be an issue in the town with the increasing number of tourists making it difficult at times to find a parking space near the town centre.
QLDC project manager Rob Darby said the council understood the objection to the potential loss of parking space but it was likely demand for fast charge station spaces would exceed the supply in the not too distant future.
''It's a bit of a chicken and egg situation at the moment; without the infrastructure the demand for electric vehicles is not quite there yet.
''Once we have that in place, I think you'll really start to see electric vehicles take off over the next five or so years and we don't want to be in a position where we are left behind.''
There would be no cost to the council for the installation.
The company had also looked at possible locations for charge stations in Frankton and Queenstown, Mr Darby said.
Wanaka Electric Vehicle Club co-ordinator Morgan Knoesen said the stations would benefit electric vehicle owners outside of Wanaka and businesses wanting to switch to electric vehicles.
''Most people who own an electric vehicle charge their car at home, but for people from out of town or business with electric vehicles these fast charge stations are what keeps them going.''
Tomorrow the council will host an information session from 2pm and a replica charging station will be displayed.
