EVs considered in action plan

National promised a “100-day action plan” if it became the government and after coalition talks with ACT and New Zealand First it plans to start on some by Christmas.

The Clean Car Discount (CCD) is still expected to be gone by December 31 along with its “feebate” scheme offering incentives for low- to zero-emission vehicle purchases.

National’s proposal for 10,000 new EV chargers is likely to have a cost-benefit analysis to determine whether it proceeds.

However, it appears the new coalition government is supportive of EVs, in spite of spending on new bike lanes forecast to be reduced and Auckland’s light rail and Let’s Get Wellington Moving likely to be axed or at least altered for the latter.

About 13 mostly four-lane new motorways are planned, while the 100-day plan suggests removing the Auckland regional fuel tax which it says adds 11.5 cents a litre of petrol.

Labour’s proposed Lake Onslow pumped hydro scheme, estimated to cost about $16 billion and take seven to nine years to build to provide electricity in “dry” hydroelectric dam years, is also likely to be shelved or abandoned.

An agenda and spending priorities are expected to be decided shortly, with a “mini budget” from the new government due prior to Christmas 2023.

A Regional Infrastructure Fund, proposed by New Zealand First, will have $1.2 billion in capital funding, according to the coalition.

A new agency, accountable to the new regulation minister, will assess the quality of new and existing regulation, with the agency proposed by ACT expected to be funded by disestablishing the Productivity Commission.

National also wants to double renewable energy production.

Go to AutoTalk for more on the new government.