The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
The Post gives readers a rundown of the inaugural conference and expo Electrify Wairarapa, which hopes to "break people out of the status quo and explore new technology when making business and domestic decisions".
“We want to help people to plan to electrify," says Vern Brassel, one of the main brains behind this week's Electrify Wairarapa conference and free expo. That's really what it all boils down to (on the induction cooktop, of course) and, as the story in The Post outlines, the goal of the two day event is to "update people on where the technology and opportunities are now, and make them aware of upcoming tech, so when you're thinking about the next appliance you don't just replace it with what you had before".
Fortunately, whether you're a big business looking to save money or a homeowner looking to reduce emissions, those replacements don't need to come at an environmental premium anymore.
As Simon Casey says in the story, "we're past a tipping point whereby it becomes far more economic for you to adopt renewable options, even if you have to get a loan to get solar on your house. Because especially with forecast power prices looking to increase, it's only going to get better.”
Find out more about the speakers and book your tickets to the Friday session here. electrifywairarapa.nz
'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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