Formed in 2023 to tackle the barriers to investment in public charging, the CPO Subgroup is currently engaging the Government on its objective to achieve 10,000 chargers by 2030.
The work focusses on network connections (processes, visibility and costs) and government investment.
First published: Current Affairs Issue 2 – May 2024
Recently, the CPO Subgroup commissioned a report by Sapere to identify principles for improving access for electricity networks. The report has been shared with Electricity Networks Aotearoa (ENA) and its Future Networks Forum (FNF). Additionally, the group is engaging regulators and policy makers.
Enhancing connection efficiency is of key importance for CPOs to accelerate investment in public charging. The Ministry of Transport is commencing a cost benefit analysis regarding future investment in public charging to support the Government’s headline ambition of 10,000 chargers.
In 2023, CPOs were installing chargers at a rate of around 20 per month. To hit 10,000 this needs to increase to over 140 per month. So a step change is required.
Demand-side policies to drive EV uptake
The Government has ruled out supporting the Green Party private members’ bill to exempt EVs from Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT). This effectively stops any prospect of the legislation passing. Minister for Climate Change Simon Watts said at the time of this announcement that officials are looking at FBT settings, including EVs. We are following him up on these comments.
Otherwise, the Government has stressed to us, to other industry stakeholders, and publicly that it is not considering alternative incentives for EVs at this time, given their fiscal position. Publicly, the Government is describing the removal of the “ute tax” as the removal of red tape.
We will continue to monitor EV uptake and have conversations with the Government and in the public domain about the importance of electrification to meet Aotearoa New Zealand’s economic and environmental ambitions.
The Government will be consulting on the second emissions reduction plan (ERP2) in the middle of 2024.
To prepare for ERP2 consultations and beyond, we’re running a short survey to collect policy ideas that will actively support EV uptake and also meet the Government’s current settings. Have your say and complete our short survey before Monday 3 June 2024.
