New Zealand aims to double use of electric vehicles

Mighty River Power chief executive Fraser Whineray said New Zealand had enough power capacity in New Zealand to "drive every single vehicle as electric".

Transport Minister Simon Bridges announced a package of measures on Thursday, saying electric cars were the way of the future.

Electricity retailers welcome the Governments announcement today of further support for the uptake of electric vehicles.

Most governments around the world view the uptake of electric vehicles as an important component of reducing their country's Carbon dioxide emissions and offer various levels of subsidies and incentives to induce consumers to purchase these vehicles. "A move from petrol and diesel to low-emission transport is a natural evolution, and it is our aim to encourage that switch sooner, rather than later". That's about $600 a year.

The package also seeks to realise the many benefits that electric vehicles offer up, according to Bridges.

"The benefits of increasing uptake of electric vehicles are far-reaching".

SBC members Mighty River Power, AirNZ, Westpac, Downer, Auckland Airport, IAG, Vector and Beca, and strategic partner EECA, were actively involved in developing the electric vehicle programme in partnership with government, Reynolds says.

The Government is also offering to help businesses who want to buy electric cars in bulk.

However, Genter said the policy failed to make electric cars more affordable and accessible for New Zealanders.

Allowing electric vehicles in bus lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes on the State Highway network and local roads. "They're cheaper to run than petrol or diesel vehicles, they're powered by our abundant renewable electricity supply, and they'll reduce the amount of emissions that come from the country's vehicle fleet", he says.

The grid had "plenty of capacity" to absorb the government's plug-in electric vehicle target, he said.

The government plans to investigate purchasing a bulk number of electric cars in a bid to get 64,000 of them on the road.

"If you're in a diesel vehicle or a auto that's not paying tax at the pump... by definition you can, and I suppose you should conventionally pay road user charges".

Sustainable Business Council executive director Abbie Reynolds said her organisation had spent more than a year "co-designing" the package with government.

The Government has pledged $1 million per year for five years to promote electric vehicles nation-wide.

A contestable fund of up to $6 million per year to encourage and support innovative low emission vehicle projects.

Source: New Zealand aims to double use of electric vehicles