Nats slam charging proposals

The National Party has criticised the government’s electric vehicle (EV) charging strategy as “rushed” and lacking vital details such as how much it will cost and who will pay for it.

Michael Wood, the Minister of Transport, has announced consultation is open on a document called Charging Our Future, which outlines plans to place charging hubs at regular intervals along all main highways.

The draft proposals, which were launched on March 22, also include having public charging at community facilities for all settlements with 2,000 or more people.

Simeon Brown, National’s transport spokesman, says while there is a need for more EV charging infrastructure, “more talk and aspiration won't deliver anything”.

He also repeated his party’s commitment to doing away with the clean car discount, which it describes as a ute tax, should National get into power at this year’s general election. 

“Remarkably, Labour hasn’t even bothered to cost their [Ev charging] policy,” adds Brown, pictured. “Labour can’t even tell Kiwis how much their new policies will cost or how they’ll be paid for.

“What New Zealanders need is a plan that unlocks investment in the EV charging network by removing barriers such as network connections and council policies which make it difficult to get approvals for car parks to be used for EV charging.

“National will scrap the ute tax and provide a clear plan on how we will unlock investment in the EV charging network as New Zealand grows the number of EVs on our roads.”