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New Zealand heads towards carbon zero – but what about Australia


https://drivinginsights.com.au/fleet-management/carbon-zero-nz-vs-aus/

Across the ditch, the New Zealand Government has set the (arguably) ambitious target of 64,000 EVs on their roads by 2021. Meanwhile, in this sunburnt country, other than a higher Luxury Car Tax threshold and some state-based subsidies, there is substantially less demonstrable government support for EVs.

In July 2019, the New Zealand Government announced its intention to introduce a Clean Car Standard and Clean Car Discount.. This proposal aims to introduce a range of incentives designed to stimulate a further increase in the number of new EV and PHEVs sold. To be introduced in 2021, purchasers of new electric and hybrid vehicles would be eligible for an $8,000 subsidy, with purchasers of used EVs eligible for a rebate of up to $2,600.

The government believes it could save motorists $NZD3.4 billion in fuel costs – or over $NZD6,800 in fuel savings per car – and remove more than five million tons of CO2 from [the country’s emissions].”

To support the increasing number of EVs on their roads, New Zealand is also well advanced in terms of the infrastructure to support the next generation of motor vehicles.

According to New Zealand’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, there are … fast chargers at least every 75 [kilometres] on 90 [percent] of the state highway network and the number of public charging stations are springing up in all of the major cities like Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin at a rapid rate. EV drivers pay anything from between five and 10 dollars, depending on the energy provider, and charge their vehicles for approximately 15 minutes to half an hour. When compared to NZ fuel prices topping $2.30-$2.40 per litre, it is a compelling reason to switch.


Meanwhile, in Australia…EVs as a way to achieve Carbon Zero are a different story in Australia. Despite strong support for policies which encourage more EVs on Australian roads, EV numbers are well behind those of New Zealand.

According to VFACTS, there are approximately 6,000 EVs on Australian roads. Research by carsales.com.au suggests that Tesla, notorious for guarding its sales data, have – as at 1 February 2019 – sold slightly more than 2,000 vehicles since landing in Australia in 2012, bringing the total number of EVs on Australian roads to around 8,000, compared to New Zealand’s 13,500.

What’s beyond debate is that New Zealand is well ahead of Australia when it comes to EVs and reaching Carbon Zero. The have the edge recently in cricket, rugby and netball, so Australian supporters of EV growth for reducing CO2 emissions will no doubt be keen to overtake New Zealand and claim some bragging rights back sooner rather than later.