New emissions rules unveiled

The final timetable for shifting to tougher vehicle exhaust emissions standards for new and used imports has been released and takes heed of a key concern raised by an industry association.

David Parker, the outgoing Minister of Transport, signed off on the new regulations this month. 

The dates for introducing more stringent measures have, in some instances, been pushed back by up to two years from the original proposals released by the Ministry of Transport (MoT). 

This means New Zealand will now closely follow Australia’s plans for mandating Euro 6 standards rather than being ahead of them, which was one of the main pleas from the Motor Industry Association (MIA) during consultation on the plans.

All new light vehicles currently crossing the border must meet the Euro 5 standard and used models Euro 4.

For new light vehicles, the revamp will see newly introduced models – that’s to say ones not previously sold here – having to meet Euro 6d, or equivalent standards, from July 1, 2027.

Existing models have another year until the regulations change and they will move to the Euro 6d criteria from July 1, 2028.

Heavy vehicles will move to Euro VI-c for new models from November 1, 2024, and existing models a year later.

New and used motorcycles and mopeds will have to meet Euro 4 targets from April 30, 2025, and Euro 5 from January 1, 2027.

Changes for used imports

For used light vehicles, petrol and diesel models will shift to Euro 5, or its equivalents, from April 30, 2024, and then to Euro 6d from July 1, 2028.

Used heavy vehicles will move to Euro V from April 30, 2024, and Euro VI from November 1, 2025.

Disability vehicles are expected to meet Euro 5, or equivalent standards, from April 30, 2024, and Euro 6d from January 1, 2031.

Plenty of feedback

The full schedule of changes is in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Amendment 2023, which was published in the New Zealand Gazette on October 16 and comes into force on December 1 this year.

The document was signed by Parker on October 12 – just two days before the general election – and notes the objective of the rule change is “to introduce Euro 6 and similar standards for the exhaust emissions of light and heavy motor vehicles, to apply at entry certification”.

Standards for motorcycles and mopeds are also included in the secondary legislation.

A draft of the rule was published by the MoT in May 2023 for public consultation and it received 77 submissions.

The MIA in its feedback warned that if regulations here were stricter than those across the Tasman it would lead to a drop in the number of new cars and models being imported and put extra strain on the dealer network.

“The extent of disruption that will be caused to the new-vehicle industry if New Zealand forces Euro 6d compliance ahead of Australia with no clear benefit for petrol vehicles is extremely concerning to the MIA,” it warned.

“Historically, New Zealand and Australian product standards have aligned. If New Zealand standards get out of sync with Australian standards, then New Zealand’s positions is considerably weakened.” 

The MoT says all submissions were taken into account before officials finalised the draft proposal, which was submitted to the Minister of Transport for consideration in late August.

Rule timetable 

NEW LIGHT PETROL 

April 30, 2024-June 30, 2027: Euro 5, US Tier 2, Japan 2005 Low Harm, Japan 2018, ADR 79/04

July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028: Newly introduced models – Euro 6d, US Tier 3, Japan 2018 Low Harm, UNR83/08

From July 1, 2028: Existing models – as newly introduced.

NEW LIGHT DIESEL 

April 30, 2024-June 30, 2027: Euro 5, US Tier 2, Japan 09, ADR 79/04

July 1, 2027-June 30, 2028: Newly introduced models – Euro 6d, US Tier 3, Japan 2018, UNR83/08

From July 1, 2028: Existing models – as newly introduced.

USED LIGHT PETROL

April 30, 2024-June 30, 2028: Euro 5, US Tier 2, Japan 2005 Low Harm, Japan 2018, ADR 79/04.

From July 1, 2028: Euro 6d, US Tier 3, Japan 2018 Low Harm, UNR83/08

USED LIGHT DIESEL 

April 30, 2024-June 30, 2028: Euro 5, US Tier 2, Japan 09, ADR 79/04.

From July 1, 2028: Euro 6d, US Tier 3, Japan 2018, UNR83/08