Drive Electric 2023 Electrion Manifesto
Our 2023 election manifesto calls on political parties to push forward with more bold policies for the decarbonisation of transport. While EV registrations have picked up dramatically, they still only comprise less than 2 per cent of the fleet. There’s much more to be done.
Here’s our stance on EV policy in New Zealand, with the upcoming election in mind.
About Drive Electric
Drive Electric is New Zealand’s leading, apolitical, not-for-profit organisation focussed on accelerating the uptake of e-mobility in New Zealand. In existence since 2011, we have more than 70 members representing the electric mobility ecosystem. Members represent electricity generators and retailers; network businesses; auto distributors; fleet companies; charging providers; financial services; information technology companies; and other related businesses.
This paper sets out our members’ views on important issues for political parties to consider when developing policy relating to the electrification and decarbonisation of transport.
Context: E-Mobility will transform how we get around
Transport is on the cusp of the biggest transformation since the arrival of the motor vehicle. We have an opportunity in New Zealand to adopt new technologies and approaches in e-mobility to create a more productive, resilient, and sustainable country.
The world’s carmakers are committed to an electric future, with many of the majors signalling dates by which they will only produce electric vehicles. A number of the world’s largest car markets have also committed to ending the sale of new fossil fuel vehicles, including the European Union and the UK.
In 2021, a global Declaration on Accelerating the Transition to 100% Zero Emission Cars and Vans was launched, which targeted new cars and vans being zero emissions globally by 2040, and by no later than 2035 in leading markets. So far 40 countries, including New Zealand, and 14 automotive companies have signed the declaration.
E-mobility is providing new transport solutions for people and freight, beyond light vehicles, through e-bikes, e-scooters, buses, commercial vehicles, and ferries. Additionally, e-mobility will increasingly become a service, through carshare and rideshare options.
New Zealand can position itself to take advantage of this technology with smart policy. The change is coming, the real question is the extent to which we want to embrace it and begin to reap the benefits.
E-mobility in all its forms can provide New Zealand:
- Significant emissions reductions (transport is circa 17% of emissions depending on the year);
- Improved air quality and associated health benefits;
- Decreased household outgoings on energy;
- National energy resilience through independence from fossil fuels;
- Productivity improvements through better fleet utilisation and decreased congestion; and
- Reduced expenditure on fossil fuels (circa $9b per annum)
We have already begun. In 2022 plug-in vehicles comprised almost 11% of all light vehicle sales, significantly up year on year.1 This is a significant uplift, but much more needs to be done to support e-mobility in New Zealand if we are to achieve a net-zero economy by 2050.
Drive Electric Priorities
When forming their climate, transport, and e-mobility policies we ask that political parties consider the following four priorities. We provide high-level overviews of each of these priorities and are open to engaging in detail around these with political parties.
1. Long term thinking and certainty
The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Act was agreed with bipartisan support in 2019. It set net-zero targets; established the Climate Change Commission; and established the mechanisms for preparing emissions budgets and emissions reductions plans. The Drive Electric membership supports the institutional framework established by the Act, and believes that New Zealand will benefit from the certainty of maintaining this piece of legislation and its key provisions.
We also note that investment in infrastructure; adopting new transport technologies; and climate change are all long-term issues. As such, our membership encourages bipartisanship on climate change policy, where possible, as it creates certainty for business and citizens. We also strongly encourage the next Government to work with business in partnership on relevant policy.
Recommendations:
1.1 Embed the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Act and continue its implementation through the development of Emissions Reduction Plan II.
1.2 Strive for bipartisanship agreement where possible in long-term policy areas such as infrastructure investment; e-mobility policy; and climate change resilience.
1. Long term thinking and certainty
The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Act was agreed with bipartisan support in 2019. It set net-zero targets; established the Climate Change Commission; and established the mechanisms for preparing emissions budgets and emissions reductions plans. The Drive Electric membership supports the institutional framework established by the Act, and believes that New Zealand will benefit from the certainty of maintaining this piece of legislation and its key provisions.
We also note that investment in infrastructure; adopting new transport technologies; and climate change are all long-term issues. As such, our membership encourages bipartisanship on climate change policy, where possible, as it creates certainty for business and citizens. We also strongly encourage the next Government to work with business in partnership on relevant policy.
Recommendations:
1.1 Embed the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Act and continue its implementation through the development of Emissions Reduction Plan II.
1.2 Strive for bipartisanship agreement where possible in long-term policy areas such as infrastructure investment; e-mobility policy; and climate change resilience.
