Norwegian EV head applauds feebate

This story first appeared in the July issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The release of a “clean car” plan proposal which advocates a feebate system rewarding buyers of zero and low emissions vehicles while penalising polluters, is welcomed by Christina Bu, leader of the world’s largest EV owners’ group, who called for just such a system during a visit here.

The secretary general of the Norwegian EV Association representing more than 70,000 owners, Bu applauds the New Zealand Government’s proposal.

She had urged New Zealand to adopt that kind of system during a visit here in late 2018, saying NZ is one of only three OECD countries without any kind of vehicle fuel efficiency standard.

“We know that the price tag on a car is what influences the choice of the consumer the most,” Bu says, responding to an EVtalk request for comment on the NZ proposal.

“We have seen this being a highly successful policy in Norway.
We started taxing according to emissions in 2007.
At that time (2006) the average emission on new cars sold in the country was 178 grams per kilometre, about the same as NZ in 2018.

“So far this year the average emissions from new cars sold in Norway is 59g/km.
Norwegians are buying cleaner and cleaner cars and, of course, more and more EVs.

“About 45% of new car sales so far this year are BEVs.

This is because fully electric cars don’t pay taxes at all.”

Bu says that every time Norway changed its tax system it has had a consequence.

“Cars that will be more expensive the following year sell very well the time before.That is why changes had to happen little by little.

“Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been given more value over the years in Norway, leading to a system that favours zero and low emission cars.Still, 36% of new cars sold last year were SUVs – the least polluting ones sell the best though.”

New Zealand’s newly released plan – for which consultation closes on August 20 – is essential to push for cleaner cars and to ensure a greater EV supply, Bu says.

“It also sends a message to car manufacturers that NZ is no dumping ground for outdated technology,” Bu says.

Norway has nearly 140.000 BEVs and close to 2.8 million passenger cars in total.

“A bit above 8% of the total fleet are pure EVs,” Bu says.

“The four most sold passenger cars this year are all fully electric – the Tesla Model 3, VW e-Golf, BMW i3 and the Nissan Leaf.”

Fifth is the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.

But agrees with some NZ EV advocates that starting the feebate system on a trial basis from 2020 would be a good idea.

“Waiting until 2021 will have the opposite effect of what is wanted – and lead to sales of cars with higher emissions for longer.In Norway, changes in the tax system are normally suggested in the Government’s proposed state budget in October and implemented from January 1 the next year.”