New government’s policies tipped to favour EVs

No extensive joint policies on electric vehicles are evident yet, but the new coalition government is widely tipped to favour EVs.

Labour MP Phil Twyford is the new transport minister while Green MP Julie Anne Genter is associate transport minister, sitting outside of cabinet, under the new line-up announced today by prime minister Jacinda Adern.

“This augurs well for EVs as well as e bikes, walking and cycling,” Drive Electric chairman Mark Gilbert says.

He wonders whether emissions targets will alter under climate change minister James Shaw, also a Green MP outside the cabinet.

Pre-election policies from all the parties involved in the coalition were generally supportive of EV adoption and cleaning up New Zealand’s environment and image.

So far, the only announcement around EVs is the shared aim to make the government’s vehicle fleet emissions free by 2025-2026, “where practicable”.

As Gilbert says, it’s “early days”.

Much more around EVs, emissions, e-bikes and other related matters is expected over coming weeks.