Air quality – the case for EVs

With Auckland traffic and its subsequent pollution levels reported to be even higher now than before the COVID-19 lockdown, it would seem a golden opportunity to push EVs.

Slowly but surely the transition to EVs such as electric buses in Queen Street and on Waiheke Island is happening – but it’s not fast enough, Drive Electric chairman Mark Gilbert says.

He says it’s his view and that of Drive Electric’s that there doesn’t seem to be any coherent plan for EVs.

“We need to start doing things and making decisions now rather than wait for 2030 or 2050 (the latter date when New Zealand is supposed to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions).”

Gilbert says political will is needed to drive EV uptake and to lead a return to lockdown style air quality.

“There needs to be clear direction and the conversation needs to start now.”

Meanwhile, traffic pollution measurements in Auckland since level 4 restrictions were eased have shown those pollution levels are even higher than before lockdown, Stuff reports NIWA air quality scientists saying.

Unless Kiwis change the way we work and travel, it will be another 15 to 20 years before the country experiences the same level of clean air as those achieved during lockdown, says NIWA air quality scientist Dr Ian Longley.

He has been monitoring air quality in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch since level 4 restrictions were implemented.

Longley says the seven weeks of lockdown provided evidence of how traffic generated air pollution can vanish overnight, with about a third of Aucklanders reducing their exposure to traffic pollution by 90% during the lockdown.