September 19th, 2024
The government, in a push to significantly enhance the nation's transport network, has launched an expansive plan for climate-friendly transportation.
The initiative, unveiled by Dr Megan Woods, Energy and Resources Minister and Michael Wood, Transport Minister, aims to make the network more resilient to weather events and more environmentally friendly. This ambitious plan includes a significant expansion of the nationwide EV charging network.
"We're making sure there are more locations for people to 'tank up' their EVs, with a nationwide network of public electric vehicle charging hubs, with multiple fast electric vehicle chargers," Woods said.
The 2023 budget has prioritised this drive to further accelerate the adoption of low-emission vehicles in the country.
Wood went on to detail the environmental impact of the current vehicle fleet in New Zealand.
"Emissions from our light vehicle fleet are the single largest source of transport emissions in New Zealand, partially due to having some of the most fuel inefficient and emissions intensive vehicles in the OECD."
He underlined that a transition to EVs would not only decrease emissions but also offer financial benefits, equating the cost to "buying petrol for 40c/litre."
The government has allocated a budget of $120 million over four years for the expansion of the EV charging network. A further $30 million over three years will provide grants for the purchase of low emissions heavy vehicles, a move that is expected to facilitate the transition of about 500 fossil fuel vehicles to low emission alternatives.
Another key focus of the 2023 budget, as Wood explained, is to enhance the resilience of the roads.
He said that "The severe weather events of this year have highlighted how crucial it is to invest in early preventative works to protect our transport network," pointing out that a resilient network is vital for the operation of emergency vehicles, goods, services and maintaining community connections.
A significant $279 million investment package will be directed towards initiatives such as slip prevention, flood mitigation, and managing the risk of sea level rise. In addition, the Government is creating the Transport Resilience Fund, contributing $20 million annually to assist local councils in developing and funding resilience upgrades on local roads.
This holistic initiative aims to improve resilience, promote cleaner energy, and ensure that all communities across New Zealand, including those in rural and regional areas, have access to the burgeoning EV charging network.