More coming on EVs – Gilbert

“The biggest infrastructure package” in New Zealand’s history as described by National Party leader Judith Collins when releasing her party’s infrastructure policy is hailed by Drive Electric chairman Mark Gilbert as “impressive, aggressive” and “doable”.

“It’s put a stake in the ground,” Gilbert says, adding that the July 17 media announcement included a message there’s more to come relating to EVs.

If elected, a National government would spend $31 billion on transport projects during the next decade, about half on upper North Island new road construction including a resumption of some former roads of national significance.

National would establish a four-lane expressway linking four key centres, replace light rail plans for Auckland Airport with heavy rail in 2026, dump Auckland’s regional fuel tax (planned to help fund light rail) and start $300 million of “digger-ready projects” there including expanding the ferry network.

At least one tunnel is likely for a second Waitemata Harbour crossing, starting about 2028, and National indicated it might reconsider the $360m Skypath pedestrian and cycle network.

Auckland’s electric commuter trains would be extended to Pokeno from 2024 with Hamilton possibly added later.

Gilbert reckons Collins will get on with the job and he expects more will come around EV uptake.

However, Gilbert says consultation is needed with the EV industry so that all groups involved are engaged and he adds that “Drive Electric is happy to help make that happen”.

Finance minister Grant Robertson has meanwhile criticised National’s infrastructure plans, saying it has “big holes” and needs to spell out what projects would be cut to find “their transport wish list”.

“The Government has a fully funded infrastructure pipeline that will create jobs immediately in response to COVID-19. National’s plan puts those projects and jobs at risk while piling billions more debt onto the NZ Transport Agency that will ultimately be paid for by taxpayers,” Robertson says.