Call to tweak CCS goals
The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is calling for emissions targets under the clean car standard (CCS) to align more closely with the Japanese market rather than Australia.
It comes after Simeon Brown, Minister of Transport, revealed future CCS settings have been revised to tie-in with Australian standards and disability vehicles will be exempt from the scheme.
The announcement on July 9 came shortly after the completion of a government review of the standard and its settings this year.
Greig Epps, VIA chief executive, says the association welcomed the government making changes to the CCS after consultation with the sector but would like to see further amendments.
“We understand the government's desire to harmonise standards with our close neighbour Australia, and we know that car manufacturers may often group New Zealand and Australia under the same corporate umbrella,” he adds.
“However, the needs of vehicles in these two jurisdictions are markedly different and we urge the government to instead consider stronger alignment with Japanese standards.
“Given the substantial proportion of our vehicles sourced from Japan, both new and used, it is more reasonable to view New Zealand and Japan as a unified car market.”
Nevertheless, VIA says the changes announced by the minister are a positive step and align with advice it has provided to officials regarding the future supply of low and zero-emissions vehicles to benefit the industry and consumers.
Epps, pictured, continues that it appreciated the interactive consultation process that led to the advice from the Ministry of Transport (MoT) to Brown and is grateful for the consideration given to its submission.
“The productive dialogue between the industry and government has been instrumental in shaping policies that address our unique market needs.”
He also commends the government for “making the correct ethical decision” to exempt mobility vehicles from the new standards, following VIA’s advice.
“It is important to note that these changes do temper the ambition of New Zealand’s decarbonisation efforts in the transport sector,” continues Epps.
“As an industry, we must be prepared for potentially stricter targets post-2030 if New Zealand is to meet its overall sustainability goals.”
VIA notes it remains committed to working with the MoT and the NZTA to ensure the transition to sustainable transport solutions considers the characteristics of the domestic market.
Epps says: “Our goal is to achieve a balanced and effective approach that benefits consumers, the industry, and the environment.”
