The discussion around the Clean Car Discount and Standard systems hit Parliament on Wednesday during question time.
Question time provides a chance for the opposition, and even the Government’s own MPs, to ask questions of ministers.
In this case, National transport spokesperson Michael Woodhouse asked questions around the Clean Car programmes.
Woodhouse questioned the availability of seven-seat vehicles that meet the low-emission levels of the systems – a question Wood did not directly answer.
“Across the different types of makes and models, there are a range of vehicles on the market. I do note that one of the points of the standard is that it supports importers to bring in a wider range of low-emissions vehicles.”
Woodhouse also questioned why the government did not take on advice that bringing the programme to the public on a 2025 time frame would “would disrupt vehicle supply in the short term, push up vehicle prices, and slow the turnover of the existing fleet.”
Wood in his answer noted: “The available evidence suggests that if price rises do occur, they are likely to be minimal and over time will reduce.”
The issue of electric utes was raised again, with Woodhouse challenging statements that an electric LDV ute was coming to New Zealand, noting there was no actual confirmed date for the model and that it is two-wheel drive.
Wood technically answered incorrectly, claiming the LDV ute was a hybrid when it’s actually a battery electric model.
“I can confirm that on public record, both LDV and the sector have confirmed that LDV’s intention is to bring such a hybrid vehicle on to the New Zealand market in the next 12 to 24 months, and that a range of other importers are working very hard to do the same.”
In his next question, Woodhouse asked if a Toyota Hilux will cost $12,500 more in 2025 from the stacked impact of both the standard and the discount.
Wood noted the supposition was hypothetical and did not take into account that the penalties under the standard were based on average emissions across the importers fleet.
“The member, as the Prime Minister said, is misunderstanding how the Clean Car Standard works, which takes an averaging approach across the fleet that any importer brings into the country at any one time.”
A soft question handed to the minister from fellow Labour minister David Parker suggested firms ‘like Toyota’ don’t like handing over market share or money or competitors so they will likely aim to bring in vehicles with lower emissions.
The minister agreed.
“That is quite correct, and it’s inherent in the design of the Clean Car Standard that we’re providing importers with a tool to go back to manufacturers to actually bring in cleaner vehicles into New Zealand, and it will be in their interest to do so.”
