The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
In Businessdesk, Patrick Smellie writes about Rewiring Aotearoa's manifesto and the strong endorsement of the Electricity Authority.
As he wrote:
The Electricity Authority (EA), which also has a green paper out for submissions on decentralised energy production by June 4, took the unusual step of effectively endorsing the Rewiring Aotearoa report.
The report advocates rooftop solar and other small-scale renewable energy initiatives to decentralise energy production.
“We agree with Rewiring Aotearoa that New Zealand’s centralised electricity system can be complemented by more localised energy resources,” the EA’s chief executive, Sarah Gillies, said in a statement.
“Power generated at a local level can enhance resilience to climate change impacts, improve affordability, progress decarbonisation and empower communities and local economies.”
Rewiring Aotearoa argued that NZ’s energy system is broken and that “our leaders need to start backing everyday NZers, the country and the future rather than continuing to protect vested interests and fiddling around the edges”.
“Electrification and a step change in customer participation through rooftop solar and batteries offer massive economic and environmental benefits, but major barriers - such as limited finance access, outdated regulations, and biased pricing structures - are holding the country back.”
Rewiring Aotearoa’s report said that while critics would query the cost of its 59-point manifesto, it said it was “the current system that’s costing us”.
“The policies laid out in our manifesto should not be seen as a cost; they are an opportunity to invest and save, an opportunity to create a more productive economy, and an opportunity to show the world what's possible.”
'Twas the night before Chris-mas, and all through the house, all the voters were stirring, the pundits showing their nous … the election will soon be over, but the energy crisis won't, so we'll be there to pester whoever is in power about the need to run more of the economy on New Zealand-made energy; can Ethiopia's aggressive push for EVs work and how does New Zealand compare in terms of adoption rates?; a two-way charging trial from Genesis shows promise in Auckland, but there's still a way to go before it's mainstream; small electric vehicles are often overlooked when it comes to electrifying transport, but it's hard to miss this weird French one; a solar-powered cafe (and some electric coffee); and we endorse the political vandalism of Keith of All Trades.
Read moreDownloadPoliticians are being urged to adopt stronger electric vehicle incentives ahead of the election. Climate and energy advocacy group Rewiring Aotearoa is arguing that EVs are one of the most effective long-term solutions for rising transport and energy costs. They're promoting an EV Salary Boost proposal, which would allow workers to access EVs through pre-tax salary arrangements – similarly to already existing schemes in the UK and Australia. Policy and Government Relations Spokesperson Ngaio Neumegen told Kerre Woodham that even with the rising cost of power, it's still cheaper to run an EV than a car running on imported fuel.
A proposal that would let New Zealanders lease an electric car using their before-tax pay has not won a commitment from either National or Labour, with the 7 November election days away. Under the EV Salary Boost, put forward by Rewiring Aotearoa and Drive Electric, an employee would lease a new or used EV for three to five years. The payments would come out of their pay before tax, lowering the cost of running the car. The idea is based on Australia’s novated leasing system, though the groups say they are not proposing a direct copy.
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