The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
A survey for Westpac shows nearly half of respondents were considering solar and cutting their power bill was the main motivator.
79% of respondents cited reducing their electricity costs as a reason for getting solar, with 60% saying it’s the main reason. Electricity prices have been rising faster than inflation in 2025 with many consumers facing price rises greater than 10%.
70% of respondents cited high levels of concern about rising electricity prices, with 58% of this group saying further price rises would make them more likely to consider solar.
As Westpac NZ managing product, sustainability and marketing director Sarah Hearn told RNZ:
"Solar is environmentally friendly, widely available, can add value to a property, is getting cheaper to install and can lead to significant cost savings on energy bills over time. However, installing solar panels can be a significant upfront cost. Nearly half of those surveyed who weren't planning to get solar cited cost as a reason. A quarter of respondents who do plan to get solar are putting it off for at least a year, which speaks to the cost pressures many are still facing."
'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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