The measures include rebates of thousands of dollars for those purchasing new or used electric or hybrid vehicles, adding a levy to higher-emitting vehicles like utes when they are imported, and advances plans for New Zealand to use more biofuels to reduce emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles. — Photo Credit: iStock/nrqemi

AA praises NZ Government on low-emission vehicle measures

Jul 12, 2021

The AA has praised the Government’s actions to increase New Zealand’s uptake of low-emissions vehicles.

The measures include rebates of thousands of dollars for those purchasing new or used electric or hybrid vehicles, adding a levy to higher-emitting vehicles like utes when they are imported, and advances plans for New Zealand to use more biofuels to reduce emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles.

“Reducing emissions from transport is going to take a mix of actions for new vehicles, used vehicles and the fuels that vehicles already on our roads run on and this package from the Government takes good steps on all fronts,” said AA Policy and Research Manager Simon Douglas.

The measures will bring New Zealand in line with many other countries around the world in terms of incentivising buyers towards lower-emissions vehicles.

Utes like the Hilux and Ranger have been some of the biggest selling vehicles in New Zealand in recent years but they will face about an extra $3,000 penalty from 2022, under the new measures.