Election 2023 Campaign

A Greener Future

Combustion engine vehicles produce harmful emissions.  It's clear that policy and public awareness need to evolve. Older vehicles disproportionately contribute to the country's environmental challenges.

Key facts:

• A significant number of Kiwi deaths are linked to vehicle emissions.
• Older vehicles, primarily those that aren't well-maintained, contribute considerably to harmful emissions.
• Vehicles working correctly consume less fuel and produce less harmful emissions.
  

THE NEXT GOVERNMENT MUST:

1. Automatically fail any vehicle with its engine warning light on at Warrant of Fitness (WoF) inspection.
2. Mandate emissions testing for all vehicles over 10 years old to reduce harmful emissions.
3. Increase awareness and education around emissions testing for vehicles. This will enable policy for emissions reduction to be informed, and all drivers to be better educated about the emissions profile and environmental impacts of their vehicle.
   

A Sustainable Industry Future

The automotive industry is in a transformative phase, with the rise of EVs and an increasing emphasis on sustainability. The automotive sector is fully on board with the mission of decarbonising our industry. This transition will involve embracing low and zero tail pipe emission vehicles and steering away from high-emission ones. However, policy adjustments are vital to ensure a balanced transition.

Key facts:

• The Clean Car Discount, though well-intentioned, favours the wealthy, potentially exacerbating socio-economic disparities.
• The current Clean Car Standard emissions targets are overly ambitious, leading to potential economic pressures on both consumers and the auto industry.
• While the Clean Car Programme's dual approach is commendable, its future projections are more ambitious than feasible. The strong demand for low-emission vehicles is evident. As per EECA, there was a whopping 39% surge in electric cars in 2022. We don’t need both the Clean Car Discount and the Clean Car Standard as they do largely the same thing. Let’s make the Clean Car Standard the key tool.
  

THE NEXT GOVERNMENT MUST:

1. Phase out the Clean Car Discount.
2. Keep the Clean Car Standard, but defer the targets and goals by two years.
3. Consult with MTA and industry to produce practical emissions settings and targets.
4. Ensure that tax depreciation rules encourage businesses to take up EVs and other low-emission vehicles.
   

Prioritising Vehicle Safety: Essential Roadmap

The safety of our roads is paramount. With a large number of vehicles failing basic safety checks, it's evident that regulations and policies need tightening to ensure the safety of all New Zealanders.

Key facts:

• 40% of vehicles do not clear their warrant upon initial inspection.
• Critical safety components account for 70% of warrant failures.
• Vehicle-related factors contributed to around 10% of fatal crashes between 2015 and 2019.
  

THE NEXT GOVERNMENT MUST:

• Change the Warrant of Fitness to apply every 6 months to any vehicle older than 15 years.
• Ensure the Warrant of Fitness scheme remains fit for purpose.
• Ensure all cars have a current Warrant of Fitness.
• Enable the Ministry of Social Development to financially support low-income families to obtain a Warrant of Fitness.
  

A Call for Resilient NZ Roads

The quality of our roads affects every New Zealander. Proper maintenance and strategic planning, especially considering the rise of EVs, are necessary to accommodate future needs and ensure the durability of our infrastructure.

Key facts:

• Road conditions in New Zealand have been deteriorating over the years, leading to vehicle damage and disruptions.
• Funds that were traditionally allocated for road maintenance have been diverted to other transport sectors.
• A resilient road infrastructure is essential to withstand the effects of climate change.
  

THE NEXT GOVERNMENT MUST:

1. Ensure that the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport directs road taxes toward only road maintenance, repair, and improvement.
2. Restore the founding principle of the National Land Transport Fund to focus solely on roads.
3. Ensure that all New Zealanders have access to EV charging infrastructure.
4. Ensure that all vehicles on the road pay their fair share to the National Land Transport Fund.