Bridges backs electric vehicles

In a presentation to the Electric Vehicle, industry and government round table, Minister for energy and resources Simon Bridges, says electric vehicles (EV) present an opportunity for a serious leap forward in the reduction of emissions.

“Increased uptake of EVs could reduce emissions, increase use of renewable energy and improve transport fuel efficiency,” says Bridges.

“The price of EVs is seen as the barrier, with EVs having been up to three times more expensive than internal combustion vehicles.

“However, changes in the market this year suggest prices are starting to come down to a level where EVs can be a viable option, especially for fleet buyers.

“We are also starting to see second-hand EVs arriving from Japan for private buyers.

“This is important because most cars bought in New Zealand are second-hand imports.

“I would like to hear from members of the motor industry if they think EVs are now poised to move beyond their current position in the market.
“This Government will not subsidise the purchase price of EVs.

“However, now the price of EVs is dropping, I am keen to learn if there are other barriers to EV uptake which the private sector cannot address on its own.

“EVs can be added to the car fleet without any additional new carbon dioxide emissions.

“Replacing a comparable petrol car with an electric vehicle would reduce carbon dioxide emissions by over two tonnes a year.

“A transition to EVs could reduce New Zealand’s nine billion dollar oil bill and improve security of supply.

“Having EVs in your fleet means you are better placed to cope in a natural disaster or other crisis situation – you can have two sources of energy for transport rather than just one.

“New Zealand has some unique advantages when we consider the use of electric vehicles.

“Currently around 75% of our electricity is generated from renewable sources and we have a significant number of consented renewables sites to allow for future demand.

“We have a target for 90 percent renewable electricity generation by 2025.

“Figures from Quotable Value NZ show eighty five percent of New Zealand homes have off-street parking, which is useful for recharging.

“The EV Project in the USA, which has monitored over 200 million kilometres of EV driving in the US, shows eighty five percent of charging also happens at home.

“Compared to other countries, we also have a low average commute, with each driver clocking up about 28 kilometres a day – a distance the batteries in today’s EVs can handle easily.

Bridges told his audience that Whangarei now has the first EV rapid charger in the country.

“This rapid charger, which is being installed by Northpower, can recharge – for example – a Nissan Leaf from zero to eighty percent battery capacity in twenty to thirty minutes,” he says.

“Northpower currently owns nine EVs, four of which it will lease to local businesses, and the rapid charger will be available to all EV owners to recharge, initially at no cost.

“There is also government support for this evolving technology.

“The exemption to the road user charges for EVs runs until 2020. This exemption recognises the importance of encouraging the use of alternative fuel technologies to help reduce carbon emissions,” says Bridges.