Minister strongly backs EVs; Notes biofuel will play role

Minister of transport Simon Bridges has reinforced his love of electric vehicles at a speech in Auckland today, while also noting the need to find other fuel options in the meantime.

Bridges launched a fleet cost of ownership tool at the Transport Fuels and Fleet Management Summit today – read about that HERE – but also discussed the broader introduction of EVs and other oil-consumption reducing options.

“As many of you know, I’m a great fan of EVs,” Bridges said. “For me, the cross-portfolio appeal as Energy, Transport and Associate Climate Change Minister is obvious.

“EVs offer multiple benefits, including reduced emissions and increased use of locally produced renewable energy.”

“Reducing transport emissions requires a range of measures, of which increasing the use of electric vehicles is just one,” Bridges explained. “Support for the likes of public transport, walking and cycling, vehicle and ride sharing is also important.”

“The Government is currently considering what role we could play in facilitating the uptake of EVs,” he noted. We are specifically looking at ways to ensure that charging infrastructure is developed in a safe and cohesive way. We have already extended the Road User Charge exemption that applies to EVs to June 2020.

“We are also examining what the Government could or should do to address the lack of awareness and misconceptions about EVs and uncertainty about matters such as the total cost of ownership.”

Bridges admits however that electricity isn’t an immediate fix for all our transport needs.

He says biofuels will take a role in the interim.

“Biofuels are providing new opportunities for how we power our fleets,” Bridges said. “The benefits of biofuels are well known, including reduced net carbon dioxide emissions, reduced emissions that affect air quality and human health, and better fuel lubrication and reduced deposits in diesel engines.”

The Government wants to help with the uptake of biofuels wherever this is possible and commercially viable.

“Two examples are the proposals in the current review of fuel specifications to lift the biodiesel blend limit in diesel from 5-7%, which is the limit in Europe, and to introduce a new standard for E85.”