Electric Vehicles Programme Te Kaupapa Waka Hiko

The existing exemption from road user charges has been extended until 31 March 2024, which is around the time we expect the electric vehicles to make up two percent of the fleet. The purpose of the exemption is to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles given our climate change obligations. Increasing the uptake of zero emission vehicles will play an important part in reducing emissions from light vehicles in New Zealand. From 31 March 2024, owners of light electric vehicles will need to pre-purchase road user charges like other road users.

To increase the uptake of electric and low emission vehicles, the Government agreed to introduce the Clean Car Standard – a Co2 emissions standard for imported new and used light vehicles.

Clean Cars

When the group was established, EVs were in the early phase of adoption. With an increasing number of EVs on our roads and wider work across government to reduce carbon emissions, the group’s focus had become too narrow, and so it was disestablished.

We will continue to progress work on vehicle and emissions-related matters through sector engagement and working groups.

The Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act included legislation to introduce an RUC exemption for heavy electric vehicles such as buses and trucks, until they make up 2% of the heavy vehicle fleet.

The exemption depends on the type of vehicle and the distance it travels in a year, and means significant savings for heavy electric vehicle drivers.

This exemption took effect from 1 September 2017.

ACC levy rates for 2017/18 and 2018/19 meant owners of all EVs paid reduced ACC levies as part of their annual vehicle licensing. This reflected a saving of around NZD$68 each year for EV owners. The changes took effect on 1 July 2017.

The change was a temporary measure that supported the EV Programme and allowed further work to be done on how the ACC levy system accommodates new vehicle technologies.

The Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017 amended the Land Transport Act 1998 to allow Road Controlling Authorities (RCAs) to make bylaws to identify EVs as a class of vehicle that can access special vehicle lanes. This also required changes to the Road User Rule and the Traffic Control Devices Rule. The rule changes were progressed separately under section 152A of the Land Transport Act 1998.

Opening up special vehicle lanes to EVs is a decision for RCAs, in consultation with communities.

Road User Rule changes

The changes:

• added a definition of EVs: ‘a motor vehicle with motive power wholly or partly derived from an external source of electricity’
• altered the definition of special vehicle lanes, for example bus and transit, to include EVs as permitted users if RCAs make relevant bylaws
• extended the application of bus traffic signals to EVs.

Traffic Control Devices Rule changes

The Traffic Control Devices Rule changes included creating the markings and signage necessary to notify road users whether an EV may use special vehicle lanes.

Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act 2017(external link)

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency worked closely with local and central government agencies, power companies, technology providers and the motor industry to develop and publish guidance on public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles.

This guidance clarifies standards and provides recommendations to help EV infrastructure investors set up a network of charging facilities that can be used by as many drivers as possible. 

Find more information about EV charging and infrastructure on Waka Kotahi’s website.

National guidance for public electric vehicle charging infrastructure(external link)

The Government established a contestable fund of NZD$6 million to support projects that encourage innovation and investment in EVs and other low emissions vehicles in New Zealand.

To be successful, applications must set out how a project will achieve at least one of these objectives:

• increase the variety and supply of low emission vehicles
• improve the availability of servicing or charging infrastructure in areas where demand is uneconomic or not fully developed
• increase demand for low emission vehicles
• develop innovative products or systems for EVs.

Find more information about the fund and how to apply for funding on the Energy Efficiency and Conservation (EECA) website.

Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund (external link)

On 22 September 2016, the RUC exemption for light electric vehicles was extended until 31 December 2021. This saves the average electric vehicle driver approximately NZD$600 per vehicle each year.

In August 2016, the Minister of Transport established an Electric Vehicles Programme Leadership Group across business, local and central government, to champion the programme and promote the initiatives within it. Its initial intent was to find out what stops people buying EVs and recommend ways to remove those barriers.

On 5 May 2016, the Government announced its Electric Vehicles Programme. This included measures to increase the number of electric vehicles in New Zealand with a goal of reaching approximately 64,000 electric vehicles on our roads by the end of 2021.

We commissioned research on EVs that informed our work on the Programme.