The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) is consulting on its proposed energy levy funding request for the 2026/27 financial year. The levies help fund programmes that encourage energy efficiency, support renewable energy use, and help energy users make better decisions about how they power their homes, businesses and vehicles.

For 2026/27, EECA is proposing to maintain levy funding at the current level of $23.259 million, collected from the petroleum, electricity and natural gas sectors. This funding supports a range of initiatives aligned with EECA’s strategic goals: putting energy efficiency first, empowering energy users to manage their energy use, and accelerating the shift to low-emissions energy.

In its submission, Drive Electric supports EECA’s overall direction but recommends a stronger focus on public education and market engagement. Key areas include promoting smart and home-based EV charging to support electricity grid resilience, improving transparency around the total cost of ownership for electric vehicles, and expanding the Low Emissions Heavy Vehicle Fund to include light commercial vehicles such as courier vans and last-mile delivery fleets.

Drive Electric has also proposed closer collaboration with EECA through industry webinars, joint research and white papers, and direct engagement with its membership network to help ensure levy-funded programmes reach the businesses and organisations leading the transport transition in Aotearoa.

Read the full submission here.

Drive Electric regularly meets with and advises key political figures and decision-makers in the transport sector, submits advisory papers on e-mobility legislation, and contributes to government-led policy development groups — helping to shape Aotearoa’s transition to cleaner, smarter transport. Become a member, stay connected and be part of the journey.