Drive Electric urges political parties to embrace e-mobility

Drive Electric wants political parties to do more to accelerate New Zealand’s transition to clean transport.

Chair Mark Gilbert says since the Clean Car Discount was introduced a year ago, EV and hybrids have grown to more than a third of new registrations.

That’s already saving the country at least $100 million a year in fuel and will save two million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over the vehicles’ lifetime, he explains.

“Moving to electric vehicles as quickly as possible is the right move for the environment and the economy,” says Gilbert.

“It is one of the most cost-effective ways to cut our greenhouse emissions, because it reduces the $9b a year New Zealand spends importing oil products from overseas.

“Drive Electric’s election manifesto calls on political parties to push forward with more bold policies for the decarbonisation of transport,” he adds.

“While EV registrations have picked up dramatically, they still only comprise less than 2% of the fleet. There’s much more to be done.

“Firstly, we need to learn from what’s worked and keep those policies going,” says Gilbert.

“New Zealanders want practical policies that actually reduce emissions and reduce their costs, and the policies in place around EVs are starting to do that job.

“By a margin of five to one, Kiwis say they are concerned about climate change and want the government to help people convert to less polluting vehicles.

“Secondly, we have got to invest in private and public charging infrastructure in New Zealand. There are a range of companies in the market wanting to invest, but there are barriers that need to be addressed immediately.”

Gilbert says finding sites to install charging stations is a challenge.

It can be prohibitive to connect to the network under current settings, he adds.

“If New Zealand wants to have an electric future – we need regulation that enables that future.

“Finally, the move to electric is about more than cars.

“Let’s get those who want to onto e-bikes and e-scooters, and let’s ensure our bus services are electric, our ferries and our commercial vehicles.

“We need well thought through and innovative plans around all these things,” says Gilbert.

“The last year has seen New Zealand go from a laggard in EV adoption to a world leader.

“This election is a chance to go further and reduce emissions and save money. So let’s take it,”