Electrical vehicles
Last updated on: 23/08/2017
What are electrical vehicles?
Electrified vehicles are vehicles charged from an outward electro-stimulation source.
They can be powered in two ways:
- Solely by electrical batteries – known as unspoiled electrified vehicles or,
- A combination of batteries and a conventional engine – called plug-in hybrid electrified vehicles.
Fresh Zealand is well suited to electrified vehicles
Fresh Zealand is well placed to benefit from electrified vehicles. More than eighty percent of electro-therapy is generated from renewable sources and there is enough supply for widespread adoption of EVs. Even if every vehicle in Fresh Zealand was electrified, there is the capacity to lightly charge them.
- High renewable energy levels mean that the emission reduction benefits of electrified vehicles in Fresh Zealand are greater than in most other countries, producing eighty percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
- Fresh Zealand’s electro-stimulation system makes for effortless charging from existing outlets.
- More than eighty five percent of Fresh Zealand homes have off-street parking. This makes overnight home charging effortless and convenient.
- Fresh Zealanders have a low average commute. Urban drivers only travel twenty two kilometres a day — a distance the batteries in current electrified vehicles can lightly treat.
For further information, read the questions and answers about electrified vehicles on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority website (outward link) .
Reducing transport emissions requires a range of measures, of which enhancing the use of low emissions vehicles is just one.
Electrified Vehicles Programme
On five May 2016, the Government announced its Electrical Vehicles Programme. This includes measures to increase the number of electrical vehicles in Fresh Zealand and has a objective of reaching approximately 64,000 electrified vehicles on our roads by the end of 2021.
The Government’s aim is to help develop the electrical vehicle market in Fresh Zealand by reducing some of the barriers and investigating ways to further support the uptake of electrified vehicles.
Barriers include misconceptions about electrified vehicles, and limited public charging infrastructure.
The Electrical Vehicles Programme includes a number of initiatives:
Extending the Road User Charges (RUC) exemption on light vehicles until they make up two percent of the light vehicles fleet
On twenty two September 2016, the RUC exemption for light electrical vehicles was extended until thirty one December 2021.
This will save the average electrified vehicle driver approximately $600 per vehicle each year.
RUC exemption for powerful electrified vehicles until they make up two per cent of the strong vehicle fleet
The Energy Innovation (Electrical Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act includes legislation to introduce a RUC exemption for intense electrical vehicles.
This will result in significant savings for powerful electrified vehicle drivers. This will be dependent on the type of vehicle and the distance it travels in a year.
This exemption will take effect from one September 2017.
Work across government and the private sector to investigate the bulk purchase of electrified vehicles
In December 2016, Fresh Zealand Government Procurement (NZGP) added fifteen fresh electrified vehicle models to the all of government vehicles contract to support the uptake of electrical vehicles.
NZGP is continuing to work to increase EV fleet purchases and is undertaking a pilot programme to assess EV request across public and private sector organisations.
Government agencies coordinating activities to support the development and roll-out of public charging infrastructure including providing information and guidance
The Fresh Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has worked closely with local and central government agencies, power companies, technology providers and the motor industry to produce guidance on public charging infrastructure for electrical vehicles.
This guidance (outward link) , released earlier this year, clarifies standards and provides recommendations to help electrical vehicle infrastructure investors set up a network of charging facilities that can be used by as many drivers as possible.
$1 million annually for a nationwide electrified 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
The Government established a contestable fund to encourage innovation, investment and help accelerate uptake of electrical and other low emission vehicles in Fresh Zealand. The fifteen projects approved for funding from the very first round of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund were announced in early 2017.
The successful projects for funding from the 2nd round of the low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund were announced in August 2017.
More details about approved projects can be found here:
The third round of funding opened on fourteen August two thousand seventeen and will close on twenty seven September 2017.
Enabling road controlling authorities to permit electrical vehicles into special vehicle lanes on the State Highway network and local roads
The Government agreed to an initiative to enable road controlling authorities to make bylaws to permit electrical vehicles access to special vehicle lanes (including transit, high occupancy vehicle, priority bypass, and bus lanes).
Switches to the Land Transport Act one thousand nine hundred ninety eight which were led by the Ministry of Transport and the Fresh Zealand Transport Agency were made through the Energy Innovation (Electrified Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act.
Review of tax depreciation rates and the method for calculating fringe benefit tax, for electrical vehicles to ensure electrified vehicles are not being unfairly disadvantaged
Inland Revenue has been asked to review the tax depreciation rate, and the method used to calculate fringe benefit tax, for electrical vehicles to ensure it is fair. Inland Revenue has received information from a number of stakeholders that have made their own analysis or assessment of electrified vehicles, to aid in its review.
Review ACC levies for plug-in hybrid electrical vehicles
ACC levy rates for 2017/Legal and 2018/Nineteen will see owners of all electrical vehicles (including owners of plug-in hybrid electrified vehicles) pay diminished ACC levies as part of their annual vehicle licensing. This reflects a saving of around $68 per annum for electrified vehicle owners. The switches took effect on one July 2017.
The switch is a makeshift measure that supports the Electrified Vehicles Programme, and permits further work to be done on how the ACC levy system accommodates fresh vehicle technologies.
Establishing an electrified vehicles leadership group across business, local and central government
In August 2016, the Transport Minister, Simon Bridges, announced the members of the Electrified Vehicles Programme Leadership Group.
The Leadership Group will champ the Programme and proactively promote the initiatives within it. It will share information inbetween central and local government and industry, and provide feedback to test ideas and decisions before they are put into practice.
Members of the group are:
- Peter Mersi, Secretary for Transport, Chair
- Andrew Caseley, Chief Executive, EECA
- Abbie Reynolds, Executive Director, Sustainable Business Council
- Mark Gilbert, Director, Auckland Transport and Chair, Drive Electrified
- Fraser Whineray, Chief Executive, Mercury
- Gary Nalder, Director Asset Finance, Westpac, and board member, Drive Electrical
- David Crawford, Chief Executive, Motor Industry Association
- Simon Mackenzie, Chief Executive, Vector Limited
- Mike Noon, General Manager Motoring Affairs, AA
- David Vinsen, Chief Executive, Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association.