National is promising to power up New Zealand homes if re-elected, with a loan scheme to encourage households to convert to solar and make energy efficiency improvements. The Home Energy fund would offer long term loans, at below market interest rates, so people can invest in the likes of solar, battery storage and insulation. The idea is a version of a scheme proposed by LGNZ and renewable energy advocates Rewiring Aotearoa. Mike Casey from Rewiring Aotearoa spoke to Lisa Owen.
Political Power has gone local! Dr Nick Smith, mayor of Nelson and ex-National Party minister, is an early adopter when it comes to electric machines but, through his efforts with the council and his close involvement with the Ratepayer Assistance Scheme, he's also embracing one of Rewiring's core mantras: once you've electrified your own life, electrify someone else's life, too.
Read moreDownloadWhether it's the growing number of electric buses, new electric trains for the lower North Island and City Rail Link, or new electric ferries, we love seeing more electric transport options in our big cities. It's also good to see some of our smaller cities like Palmerston North, Timaru and Nelson going electric and, as is almost always the case, the drivers reckon it's better on electrons. At the Electrify Nelson expo, we spoke with one driver Lee about the city's electric buses. And he definitely wouldn't go back to diesel.
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