Labour short on EV details in new plan

No new commitment to EVs is apparent in Labour’s newly released Clean Energy Plan.

Labour says it will bring forward the goal of 100% renewable electricity generation by five years to 2030, accelerate the electrification of the transport and industrial sector and invest in emerging technologies such as green hydrogen.

So says Labour leader Jacinda Ardern in releasing the party’s new Clean Energy Plan which she says is a critical element of Labour’s wider COVID-19 recovery plan.

“Labour is planning properly for New Zealand’s future energy needs. We need to take steps right now and also plan years ahead to ensure New Zealand has stable, sustainable and affordable energy while also protecting jobs and industries,” she says.

“The COVID-19 economic recovery represents a once in a generation opportunity to reshape New Zealand’s energy system to be more renewable faster, affordable and secure.

“Investment in renewable energy is also jobs rich. Our plan will create new jobs and develop the high skill workforce our future economy needs to thrive.”

Labour energy spokesperson Megan Woods says New Zealand produces 84% of its electricity from renewable sources now, “but we can do better”.

“We will stop activities that increase our emissions by, for example, banning new thermal baseload generation; and promote clean energy development.”

Woods points to projects like pumped hydro at Lake Onslow for which Labour wants to accelerate second-stage work with in additional $70m, removing barriers to development of new renewable electricity projects, advancing green hydrogen and other green technologies and supporting businesses to decarbonise.

“The initiatives we are announcing build on work we have done already, including the establishment of a $70 million fund to help major industrial users decarbonise; a $20 million Renewable Energy Research Platform; putting $27 million towards the establishment of Are Ake – the New Energy Development Centre; and supporting the roll-out of a nationwide hydrogen refuelling network.”

A new National Policy Statement for Renewable Electricity Generation is planned, and Labour also plans to accelerate low emission vehicle uptake – but doesn’t detail how.

Transport alone accounts for 20% of New Zealand’s emissions and has been the fastest growing source, so cutting back on fossil fuel in transport and industrial emissions is a key way to reduce emissions and done right it can help stimulate the economy and reduce costs for households, Labour says.

The “clean car standard” is mentioned in Labour’s frequently asked questions sheet on the new policy, estimated to deliver average fuel savings for New Zealanders of $6810 over a vehicle’s lifetime.

The standard was part of an earlier Clean Car Plan which dealt with emission standards and also included a “feebate” proposal for penalising polluters and rewarding low and zero emission vehicle buyers – but all that was shelved because of reported opposition from New Zealand First.

It’s an indication aspects of the Clean Car Plan may be revived after the election.

Meanwhile, Woods says New Zealand can develop its green hydrogen industry and potentially receive a premium for it in international markets.

“We are already working with other countries, including Japan, and have invested in a nationwide fuelling network and will invest $10 million in a roadmap and further opportunities.”

Labour says it will also investigate regulatory or market barriers to the uptake of solar micro-generation for residential and commercial buildings.