Greens lament feebates plan

The Green Party is calling National’s plan to install thousands of electric vehicle (EV) chargers while at the same time making it more expensive for people to buy such vehicles “bizarre and ridiculous”.

Julie Anne Genter, transport spokesperson for the Greens, has taken aim at National after it announced it would get rid of the clean car discount by the end of this year if successful in the general election.

National has also unveiled a proposal to install 10,000 EV chargers across the country over the next four years.

Genter, pictured, says: “There is no point building new charging infrastructure if people can’t afford to buy an EV when they need a new car.

“The clean car discount has been one of the most successful climate policies Aotearoa has had. In June 2023, one in two cars sold was an EV. 

“Scrapping this policy makes no sense and will likely reduce the ability of New Zealanders to access EVs and increase emissions.”

She adds the current government already has a plan to put charging hubs in place every 150-200km along main highways by 2028. 

Genter claims that if National gains power it will “put climate action in Aotearoa into reverse gear”.

“It makes absolutely no sense to cancel the one policy that is doing more than any other to drive the massive adoption of EVs around the country,” she continues.

“Aotearoa has the potential to be the first country in the world to completely transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles. To do that we need effective incentives, as well as charging infrastructure.”