The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
Taranaki Daily News' Catherine Groenestein tells the story of her solar journey: "Every day this week, the gorgeous late autumn sunshine has felt like a double blessing. As well as the sense of wellbeing a sunny day brings, it's boosting our financial health too, because since May 6, we've been harvesting solar energy off our roof. With the fervour of a religious convert or reformed smoker, I'm regularly checking the clever app on my phone to see how those panels are performing. Our solar journey began late last year when I interviewed electrification advocate Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa, around the time an email arrived announcing yet another price hike from the gas company. Partway through the conversation for a story (the convincing case for electrifying your life) about the financial benefits of rooftop solar, I was convinced. To get my husband Phil on board, I bought us tickets to Sustainable Taranaki's Electrify Your Whare session, where Casey was guest speaker and we learned about how it works."
Read moreDownload the document here'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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