The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
Right across the political spectrum, people are realising that more New Zealand-made energy running through more efficient electric machines makes sense for the country. Going electric wins on economics, it wins on energy security and it wins on emissions. And that means everyone wins when we get off the imported energy roller coaster. We're already heading in that direction. But we need to, as Sir Peter Blake almost said, make the electric boat go faster.
“The status quo’s time has passed.” Cameron Bagrie, independent economist
"Every litre of fuel this country burns arrives by ship, refined somewhere else, on someone else's schedule. Electrification is the only path I can see that converts that exposure into something we actually control." Brian Cartmell, entrepreneur.
“New Zealand-made energy is a critical driver of our economic prosperity. It’s so much more efficient than buying energy from the other side of the world, and way less risky, too. There are no wars getting in the way of energy made here. The Cook Strait cable is still open and the sun is still shining.” Anna Mowbray, entrepreneuer
“In a way, energy security is the new climate change ... We need to be talking about getting electrification of the whole economy to more like 70%, 75%. It’s doable. There’s massive investment required. But there’s massive growth opportunity in that investment and, in the process, a hugely reduced reliance on fossil fuels and much greater energy independence.” Pattrick Smellie, BusinessDesk founder.
“Technologies that reduce emissions are increasingly delivering practical benefits today - lower running costs, greater resilience and reduced exposure to future risks.” Jo Hendy, Climate Change Commission.
“For years, energy was something that most New Zealand businesses didn’t need to think too much about. It was reliable, relatively affordable and largely predictable. That has changed and the time to act is now.” ASB, ‘Opportunity in an era of energy shocks’
“Overall, we expect the electrification of light vehicles and improved fuel efficiency to lead to a significant reduction in petrol demand. This shift will be further accelerated by policy decisions and investments in charging infrastructure to incentivise the switch to electric. ... We concluded that the most cost-effective strategies for enhancing fuel resilience is accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles, adding trucking capacity and increasing diesel storage. These measures provide the highest resilience benefits for the cost.” MBIE, fuel security report.
“By June, New Zealand’s monthly bill for fossil fuel imports hit $1.5 billion per month, double its level from a year earlier. But it doesn’t have to be that way.” Bernard Hickey, The Kākā
“Electrification is the next operating system of the New Zealand economy. It will power growth, productivity and resilience, but only if the workforce exists to deliver it safely and at pace.” Alexandra Vranyac-Wheeler, Master Electricians New Zealand CEO.
“... As long as we’re importing diesel, we’re a chew toy in the jaws of slobbering superpowers. And we need to get out. We need to electrify. Now. En masse.” Verity Johnson, Stuff.
“Voters should judge parties less on slogans than on whether their policies can achieve the difficult but essential task of providing abundant, affordable and reliable energy while continuing to reduce emissions. That is one of the defining economic challenges facing New Zealand.” The Post editorial.
“We need to accelerate new supply, unlock the regulatory constraints faced by our transmission network, and further encourage electrification.” Alan McDonald, Employers’ and Manufacturers’ Association.
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“The smartest response is not to hope for cheaper petrol. It's to reduce our dependence on it.” Danusia Wypych, ChargeNet.
“If we take major parties at face value, the future of New Zealand is solar. Yesterday’s climate policy is today’s cost of living intervention.” Lyric Waiwiri-Smith, The Spinoff
'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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