The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
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An indepth investigation from RNZ's Kirsty Johnston shows that rooftop solar incentives were looked at closely by the Government last year and then nixed, with only small changes announced. But there's still time to get the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme through and ramp up adoption rates.
As Rewiring CEO Mike Caseysaid, "putting rooftop solar on a household in New Zealand substantially lowers electricity bills. Yet what we've seen time and time again is we've kind of left the energy system up to its own devices - but electricity bills just continue to go up".
"That's why I think it's super important we now look at making sure that if it's not going to come from industry because it's not necessarily in their best interests, well, then it really needs to come from central government."
Stats NZ figures show household energy costs have risen by 173% since 2001, despite plenty of 'downward pressure on prices'. The cost of communications has declined by 30% in the same time, which is what technological advancement is meant to do to prices.
Energy Minister Simon Watts told RNZ that he was "focussed on making energy more affordable ... I acknowledge the valuable role that solar and batteries can play in New Zealand's energy system."
We believe Energy Impact Loans through the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme, which would allow households to finance solar and other electric machines over the long-term at low interest rates, will significantly increase adoption and could save gas-dependent homes around $2,000 per year. The Government has a chance to make that happen by adding it to the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Bill, which we have submitted on and will talk to in the Select Committee process this week.
And while subsidies aren't needed to make solar economic, the Australian example shows that if you want to roll things out very quickly and help create economic activity, incentives can play a big role. We hope to see a few of them being offered at the electric election in November.
'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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