Time for ICE import ban, Shaw says

New Zealand should ban new internal combustion engine (ICE) cars at the same time as the United Kingdom or risk becoming a dumping ground.

So says climate change minister James Shaw​, telling Stuff he’d recommend the policy to new transport minister Michael Wood​ as an “anti-dumping measure” as well as for environmental reasons.

Shaw earlier outlined the Green Party’s proposed ban but has brought it forward for consideration with the UK aiming to ban all new ICE cars by 2030.

However, Shaw isn’t certain a ban on ICE imports will get Cabinet’s OK.

“I’ll be recommending that, but we have to warm people up,” he tells Stuff.

Shaw reckons New Zealand’s biggest emissions cuts will come from decarbonising travel.

“Transport emissions are the one area where our emissions growth is uncontrolled,” he says.

Asked if he could suggest the government introduce measures such as congestion charging, Shaw says he wants to see more money go on other transport mode options giving people alternatives to driving.