Green Party offers subsidy on electric cars

The green party has launched a policy today offering a $1000 rebate to buyers of electric vehicles.

Part of its broader energy policy, the party has also committed to spending $10 million to boost the roll out of fast-charging stations for the vehicles.

The rebate will be limited to the first 10,000 electric vehicles sold under the program. Currently New Zealand’s electric fleet stands at around 200.

Government ministers will also receive electric propulsion.

Over time, it will replace the Crown car fleet with electric vehicles where there are appropriate electric vehicles available. Currently the fleet consists of diesel-fueled BMW 7-Series.

“We’ll speed up the adoption of electric cars by investing $10 million in the roll-out of 30-minute fast-charging stations across the country, extending the range and usability of electric cars,” co-leader Russel Norman says.

“Reducing our vehicle fleets’ reliance on foreign imported oil is good for our economy as well as our environment,” he claims. “It is also great for car owners who will save on petrol bills over the life of the car.

“Prices for electric cars are falling, the number of models on offer is increasing, and the useful range of electric vehicles is now at least three times the average 33km daily vehicle trip distance travelled per person in New Zealand.”

Meanwhile at the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party, unsurprisingly hemp is the answer to our transport needs.

The party has pledged to replace most petroleum products with biofuel, produced locally.

ALCP environment spokeswoman Romana Marnz Manning says hemp was a fast-growing, high cellulose plant, ideal for making biofuel.

“Bio-charcoal, bio-ethanol, bio-diesel and bio-gas can all be extracted from hemp,” she says. “These biofuels will significantly reduce emissions and lower our reliance on fossil fuels.”

“The industry, energy and transport sectors could all transition to carbon-neutral hemp biofuels without losing profitability.”