The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
"Do you reckon yours were 32s or 34s, Ginny?"
Parliament grounds were buzzing yesterday as The Great Electric Cherry Migration reached its final destination. The 100% electric cherries travelled north from Cromwell on a 100% electric truck and all our MPs had a box delivered to their office along with a personalised letter talking up the massive electric opportunity for New Zealand.
It was a tangible demonstration of what's possible when we embrace homegrown energy rather than foreign molecules - something that was thrown into sharp relief after the announcement of the LNG terminal the day before - and we had over 30 MPs and hundreds of passersby stop by for a chat, a look at the truck and a free cherry (or ten).
Mike Hosking received a load of cherries from his own adopted tree and spoke to Rewiring CEO Mike Casey about the season last week and he obviously got the memo about the campaign because he asked MPs Ginny Andersen and Mark Mitchell if they'd received their box on the show this morning.
It's clear Hosking has become a bit of an enthusiast and he's keen on those big 34mm cherries, but Andersen was slightly perplexed about what she thought was a rather personal question.
'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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