The 'Electric Election': energy policies, side by side
Instead of squabbling about golf courses and gravel, Sir Ian Taylor says politicians need to focus on the solutions being developed in New Zealand right now that can reduce emissions and grow the economy. He points to Mike Casey's all-electric orchard to show that going electric is "cheaper. It’s cleaner. And it’s proof that the transition from fossil fuels to electric isn’t theoretical" and Rewiring Aotearoa's research showing that electric machines and solar makes financial sense.
As he wrote:
As we did in geothermal energy, New Zealand also once led the world in electrification.
We built the world’s first fully electric house, powered by renewable hydropower [picture above]. Reefton, on the West Coast, was the second town in the world with electric street lighting, just weeks after Paris became the first. We also built the first transmission line in the Southern Hemisphere.
But today, more than 70% of our energy supply comes from imported fossil fuels, costing New Zealand consumers $55 million a day. Most of which goes offshore.
It doesn’t have to be this way. Mike Casey and Rewiring Aotearoa have put together a powerful case for the electrification of Aotearoa. It began with the world’s first fully electric cherry orchard, which runs on 21 electric machines powered by solar energy. It’s cheaper. It’s cleaner. And it’s proof that the transition from fossil fuels to electric isn’t theoretical. It works now!
His research team has shown how solar energy, scaled nationally on our houses, businesses and farms, would significantly lower the energy costs of the country, whilst at the same time saving billions in overseas spending on fossil fuels.
Combined with the potential from supercritical geothermal, New Zealand could, once again, be a world leader. Embracing the opportunities around climate change and sustainability.
All we need is political vision and courage.
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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