Govt proposes RUCs for all light vehicles by 2027 

Tolling reforms and road user charges (RUC) for all vehicles by 2027 is part of a new revenue action plan outlined by the Government to target critical transport infrastructure.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the plan will leverage private sector innovation and expertise and create a roadmap to help deliver projects sooner.

“Delivering infrastructure to increase productivity and economic growth is a key priority for the Government.

“With New Zealand facing a prolonged infrastructure deficit, we need to ensure we have the funding and financing tools needed to support this growth,” Brown says.

The plan follows the reintroduction of the Roads of National Significance (RoNS) programme and aims to introduce the following:

• Make better use of existing funding tools for the National Land Transport Fund (NLTF).
• Reform tolling legislation to support bringing forward infrastructure investment.
• Unlock new funding tools, including value capture.
• Transition all light vehicles to road user charges by as early as 2027.

RUCs for light EVs were introduced on April 1 this year, meaning owners of light EVs had to pay $76 per 1000 kilometres, in line with equivalent diesel-powered vehicles. Heavy electric vehicles are set to keep their exemption for another two years.