EVs on track in NZ

EV policies and incentives may be known when the New Zealand Government issues its May budget, but the country appears to be on track, Drive Electric chair Mark Gilbert says.

The Kiwi EV advocacy group hosted its annual members’ event in Wellington’s parliament with transport minister Michael Wood under the theme “The time has come for EVs in New Zealand”, attended by about 110 people.

A highlight was a video presentation by Tesla chair Australian Robyn Denholm who describes the irony in New Zealand and Australia leading the world in various ways, such as clean energy, but lagging in cleaning up their vehicle fleets which would also produce health benefits.

New Zealand is moving to adopt a limit of 105 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometre by 2025, and Gilbert says that’s likely despite some in the automotive industry being unhappy about it.

But Gilbert points to other countries which are already aiming to reduce CO2 emissions even further.

While concerned New Zealand is being lumped as a laggard with Australia in cleaning up its fleets and both risking becoming a dumping ground for dirty vehicles, Gilbert says New Zealand dealerships should be talking to their overseas factories and the United Kingdom about getting good EV supply.

“Once we get clarity (on New Zealand’s low and zero emissions policies) we will get into it – and I think car companies need to get behind one another on this.”

A panel discussion involving Meridian Energy chief executive Neal Barclay, Audi NZ general manager Dean Sheed and Custom Fleet NZ country leader Michelle Herlihy was hosted by Gilbert at the Drive Electric event.

Gilbert expects the NZ government to also consider the Climate Change Commission’s draft advice in May.

The commission has received more than 15,500 submissions, public consultation closing at the end of March, with commission chief executive Jo Hendy saying the submissions will strengthen its advice and that it’s up to the Government to develop a detailed strategy and take action.

Submissions will be processed for release on the commission’s website once they have been analysed.