The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
We should definitely be moving away from fossil fuel machines at the big end of town, and the LNG terminal has united almost everyone in opposition on both economic and environmental grounds. But raging against your fossil fuel machines at home and swapping them for better-performing electric options is one of the best ways to reduce your own household emissions.
When Mike Casey was setting up his cherry orchard near Cromwell, he thought all the trees that were being planted would suck up a lot of carbon. That did help, but once he crunched the numbers, he realised he wasn't focusing on the right thing. Instead of capturing carbon with trees, he needed to use machines that just didn't emit it.
That decision to shift way from expensive foreign molecules and instead run his business with cheaper local electrons and electric machines saves him tens of thousands of dollars each year on energy and has slashed the emissions on farm to almost nothing.
Many people still think recycling is the best response to climate change. Others who are more clued up on the science might avoid unnecessary flights, eat less meat or dairy, or choose to travel by foot, bike or public transport. We think a big part of the solution is for more people to electrify their machines, and many New Zealanders are not aware that the biggest emission savings in their own life are often hiding in plain sight - in their driveways, in their hot water cupboards, and in their kitchens.
To illustrate this, we decided to compare those machines with the emissions from something people can relate to: return flights between Queenstown and Auckland. And, over a lifetime, those numbers add up.
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Politicians 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.
Read moreDownloadDrive Electric says responses from National, Labour, the Green Party and The Opportunity Party show there is a foundation for more stable, long-term transport electrification policy after the election. This is a $120 billion opportunity over the next decade to reduce our dependence on importing fossil fuels.
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