Energy Innovation Bill boosts EVs

The Energy Innovation Amendment Bill was introduced to Parliament yesterday by transport minister Simon Bridges – and when passed will boost EV uptake.

The bill implements parts of government’s electric vehicle (EV) programme, makes changes to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) levy funding, and clarifies how legislation in the electricity industry applies to secondary networks.

The bill creates a new road user charge exemption for heavy EVs until they make up two percent of the fleet and amends the law so that road control authorities can allow EVs in special vehicle lanes.

“We have seen that allowing EVs in special vehicle lanes is the single most effective non-financial incentive we can put in place to increase uptake. This is evident in places like Norway and California,” says Bridges.

He adds that whether this comes into being will ultimately be decided by road control authorities like the New Zealand Transport Agency and regional councils.

“In some cases it won’t make sense but we certainly encourage councils to give it some thought and see if it will work for their regions,” comments Bridges.

He points out that New Zealand’s environmental and energy objectives are changing and that the country needs to accommodate emerging technologies and new business models by ensuring its laws are fit-for-purpose.

“This bill will support our focus on reducing emissions and improving energy productivity while encouraging innovation,” he says.

“Our EV programme reflects a shift in focus to transport energy, but we also need a renewed focus on improving our energy productivity.”
Bridges says EECA has a key role in both, and changes in the bill give it the flexibility to undertake a wider range of initiatives by expanding its levy funding beyond electricity efficiency activities.

It is intended for changes in the bill to come into effect in July 2017.