CCS charges kick in

A number of dealers and importers need to start paying charges under the government’s clean car standard (CCS) from today after changes to how the scheme operates have come into effect.

New and used imported light vehicles have incurred a credit or a charge based on their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions since the start of this year in a push to increase the supply of low or zero-emissions vehicles.

However, payment of any fees under the CCS was deferred until June 1 to ensure what Michael Wood, Minister of Transport, called a “smooth implementation for the industry”.

Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency notes the key changes now in force are:

• Pay-as-you-go importers need to start paying charges as they accept vehicles into their CO2 accounts

• Pay-as-you-go importers need to make a one-off payment for any charges incurred between January 1 and May 31 this year

• Credits can be used for offsetting charges and transferring between accounts.

In order to transfer credits with other importers, account holders need to be anti-money laundering verified, regardless of whether they are transferring or receiving credits.

The agency also warns that importers who fail to pay any charges on vehicles as they’re accepted into CO2 accounts will be unable to register the unit, if used, or get a warrant or certificate of fitness, if it is new.

“The CCS is an incentive on the importer to choose cleaner vehicles to import,” says Waka Kotahi.

“The importer may choose to pass charges on to consumers but are encouraged to offset any costs against credit vehicles and by doing so will be able to bring vehicles to the market at a more competitive price point than other importers who do not do this.”

For more details, visit Waka Kotahi’s dedicated webpage about the June 1 changes.