The government is plugging into the electric vehicle (EV) revolution with an extension to the road user charges exemption and an EV information campaign.
The extension to the road user charges (RUC) exemption for EVs could save drivers up to $600 a year, transport minister Simon Bridges claims.
“We’re committed to accelerating the uptake of EVs in New Zealand because the benefits of going electric are clear,” he says.
“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.”
Charging an EV is equivalent to buying petrol at 30 cents a litre, compared to current petrol costs of just under $2 a litre, Mr Bridges notes.
“By exempting RUC, an EV owner could save up to $3000 over five years,” he explains. “We are also working on introducing a RUC exemption for heavy EVs such as buses and trucks.”
The exemption will be extended from 30 June 2020 to 31 December 2021 and will come into force on 22 September this year.
Mr Bridges also launched an electric vehicles information campaign to mark the start of International Drive Electric Week, which will run until 18 September.
“International Drive Electric Week will be the biggest ever celebration of electric vehicles in New Zealand, increasing from just a few events in 2015 to more than 50 events around the country this year,” he insists. “Our EV community is hosting the most events outside of the United States.”
Volunteers are supported by business, local government and member organisations to help spread the word and encourage New Zealanders to attend an event, test drive an EV and talk to an EV owner.
“Hearing from EV owners about the fun, smooth and quiet EV driving experience, and the practicalities of things like charging and range, are often what sparks interest in purchasing one,” Mr Bridges says.
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is working with a broad range of stakeholders including businesses, member organisations, local government and EV owners who are supporting the electric vehicles information campaign.
“Ultimately the information campaign is about encouraging New Zealanders to decide that their next car will be an EV,” Mr Bridges says.
The EV exemption and information campaign are two of the 14 initiatives the government announced in May to help achieve its goal to double the number of EVs on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021.
The $1 million per year, five-year campaign is aimed at engaging and exciting New Zealanders about electric vehicles and overcoming knowledge barriers.
It will include a community and events programme, a website, TV advertising and printed material about charging and buying EVs.
