Government’s done nothing on EVs – Bridges

The Government’s doing little to get New Zealanders driving electric vehicles, National Party leader Simon Bridges says.

“They’ve done nothing,” the former Transport Minister told The AM Show.

“Look at the current Government – what have they done? … I think New Zealanders will be pretty disappointed with the Green Party.”

The Government says it’s considering a range of EV incentives.

Associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter has recently said Cabinet will consider new incentives early this year, while climate change minister James Shaw has been suggesting since last September that “decent” EV incentives are on the way.

Bridges, who has bought two EVs, won’t commit to offering an EV subsidy.

Targets to double the number of EVs on New Zealand roads were set by the previous National Government, but Bridges believes the present Government has not kept pace with EVs because of its “fixation” with bikes, trains and public transport.

Bridges’ comments follow a meeting of the National Party’s advisory group on environmental issues, the ‘Bluegreens’, in Raglan on February 23 and 24.