The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
Our Political Power series aims to show that going electric is good for everyone, no matter where you sit on the political sprectrum. Whether you're looking to lower costs, reduce emissions or increase resilience, it increasingly makes sense at an individual, community and country level and ACT's Todd Stephenson, who bought an electric Jeep around one year ago and built his new home in Queenstown to run on electrons, is a good example of that.
Stephenson says a lot of people within ACT are interested in technology and economics and, as he says, those two things are coming together in the realm of electrification. As Rewiring's research shows, New Zealand is now at the point where new electric machines (including finance) can save money from day one and are cheaper over the long-run because they cost less to operate.
ACT isn't keen on subsidies (although they aren't really needed anymore because the economics are so compelling on their own as energy prices rise and the cost of electric machines come down), but it is keen on free and fair markets and cutting red tape, both of which we've been asking for. Both of those things would level the playing field for customers to compete with big energy companies and help bring prices down (as an example, Australia can install solar at around half the price New Zealand can).
He has loved the new Avenger and says it's been great for tripping around Central Otago and on longer trips down to Invercargill, where he grew up. ACT leader David Seymour has been in the car with him on a few occasions (he particularly enjoyed the indicator beatbox and, as a qualified electrical engineer, he should understand the increased efficiency of electric machines).
Because there are fewer moving parts in EVs, very little maintenance is required in comparison to petrol cars and he loves the quietness of it. While he use fast chargers at this stage - which is the most expensive way to do it - he did have an EV charger installed in his apartment in Australia.
When it comes to solar, his house was designed with that in mind and he is confident that will happen at some stage. Queenstown has a higher than average adoption rate, in part due to higher incomes, and he believes solar and batteries make great sense for a place like this because it gets a lot of sun, is staring down the barrel of a big earthquake, and often has to deal with pressure on the grid at peak times.
'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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