Transport Minister increasing the push for EV imports

World leaders are introducing climate change countermeasures like the Clean Car Discount in a bid to ease the public away from ICE power and into electric transport solutions.

That “push” is set to grow a little stronger locally with Transport Minister Michael Wood announcing today that he will be attending the International Electric Vehicle Symposium and Exhibition (EVS), hosted by the European Association for Electromobility in Oslo, Norway.

“EVS is the leading international gathering to address all the electromobility issues. The conference brings together government Ministers, policymakers, representatives from industry, relevant research communities and NGOs to discuss how we can enhance the transition to electric vehicles.” said Wood.

Wood added that “My message to vehicle manufacturers is clear. New Zealand is open for business. We are investing in supporting Kiwi families and our economy’s transition to carbon neutral through initiatives like the Clean Car Discount, the decarbonisation of the public transport bus fleet and the Clean Car Upgrade funded through Budget 22.”

“We don’t sell vehicles locally, we don’t make vehicles locally, so it is vitally important that New Zealand is seen as a viable market for low emissions vehicle manufacturers. I will be selling that message in Oslo.”

Judging by those statements, New Zealand is set to become an EV haven for car manufacturers and begs the question as to how long the internal combustion engine has left on our shores before it is officially banned from importation in 2035.

Michael Wood will also visit Geneva to meet with the International Labour Organisation and Global Road Safety Partnership to discuss Fair Pay Agreements and the Government’s Road to Zero strategy, respectively.