Z Energy welcomes ‘clean car’ policies

Z Energy is welcoming Government consultation on two new policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand’s light vehicle fleet.

Associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter has announced a “feebate” policy which will target vehicles with the highest carbon emissions.

Z says it is already taking steps to reduce carbon emissions, including building New Zealand’s first commercial scale manufacturing biodiesel plant and its partnership with Wellington-based climate positive car-sharing company Mevo.

Z chief executive Mike Bennetts says the proposed rebate scheme for low emissions vehicles, such as EVs and the draft fuel efficiency standard are further important steps towards reducing transport emissions.

It is an important moment in time to bring innovation and policy together to accelerate decarbonisation goals, he says.

“Climate change is complex, and we need a range of solutions to address it. We believe that devoting more resources to diverse low-emissions innovation and technology – including biofuels – will be an important way of assisting programmes like the Clean Car Standard succeed. We look forward to continuing collaboration on this”, Bennetts says.

Bennetts is also the convenor of the Climate Leaders Coalition which recently celebrated reaching 100 signatories. By signing up, signatories commit to measure and publicly report their emissions, set a public emissions reduction target and work with their suppliers to reduce their emissions. The coalition will mark its first anniversary on July 24.