NEW ZEALAND: Electric Vehicles Programme

Meta Data
Draft: 
No
Revision of previous policy?: 
No
Effective Start Year: 
2016
Effective End Year: 
2021
Scope: 
National
Document Type: 
Programme
Economic Sector: 
Power, Transport
Energy Types: 
Power, Renewable, Other
Issued by: 
Government of New Zealand
Source: 
Ministry of Transport
File: 
Electric Vehicles Programme
Overall Summary: 
The Government’s electric vehicles programme was launched in May 2016. It has a target of doubling the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads every year until they make up 2% of our light vehicle fleet (around 64,000 cars by 2021). The package aims to address barriers to the uptake of electric vehicles, including the limited supply of models in New Zealand, lack of awareness and misconceptions about electric vehicles, and a lack of widespread public charging infrastructure.
Renewable Energy
RE targets: 
[D]oubling the number of electric vehicles in New Zealand every year to reach approximately 64,000 by 2021
RE action plans: 
Work across Government and the private sector to investigate the bulk purchase of electric vehicles.
RE reductions in taxes: 
Extending the Road User Charges exemption on light electric vehicles until they make up two percent of the light vehicle fleet.---A new Road User Charges exemption for heavy electric vehicles until they make up two percent of the heavy vehicle fleet.---Review of tax depreciation rates and the method for calculating fringe benefit tax for electric vehicles to ensure electric vehicles are not being unfairly disadvantaged.
RE public awareness/promotional programmes: 
$1 million annually for a nation-wide electric vehicle information and promotion campaign over five years.
Public investment loans or grants: 
A contestable fund of up to $6 million per year to encourage and support innovative low emission vehicle projects.---$1 million annually for a nation-wide electric vehicle information and promotion campaign over five years.
Environment
Decarbonization strategy: 
[D]oubling the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads every year until they make up 2% of our light vehicle fleet (around 64,000 cars by 2021).---Allowing electric vehicles in bus lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes on the State Highway network and local roads.
Energy Supply and Infrastructure
Infrastructure development priorities: 
Government agencies coordinating activities to support the development and roll-out of public charging infrastructure including providing information and guidance.
Investment
Financial incentives for energy infrastructure: 
A contestable fund of up to $6 million per year to encourage and support innovative low emission vehicle projects.
Governance
National policy structure: 
Establishing an electric vehicles leadership group across business, local and central government.
Technology
Clean energy technology deployment: 
[D]oubling the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads every year until they make up 2% of our light vehicle fleet (around 64,000 cars by 2021).---Extending the Road User Charges exemption on light electric vehicles until they make up two percent of the light vehicle fleet.---A new Road User Charges exemption for heavy electric vehicles until they make up two percent of the heavy vehicle fleet.---Review of tax depreciation rates and the method for calculating fringe benefit tax for electric vehicles to ensure electric vehicles are not being unfairly disadvantaged.---$1 million annually for a nation-wide electric vehicle information and promotion campaign over five years.---A contestable fund of up to $6 million per year to encourage and support innovative low emission vehicle projects.