The Government is looking to allow heavier truck loads, ease restrictions on over-dimension vehicles and align licence rules for electric vehicles with diesel equivalents, as it moves to remove regulatory barriers to improve fuel resilience.
Regulation Minister David Seymour and Transport Minister Chris Bishop say the work follows feedback from industry and the public through the Government’s Red Tape Tipline, aimed at helping businesses and communities respond to potential global fuel shocks.
“New Zealand’s fuel supply is stable. We’re focussed on keeping it that way. There are few things as important to Kiwis as ensuring New Zealand’s fuel supply remains strong,” Seymour says.
“This Government has responded well to the potential of conflict in the Middle East leading to fuel shortages. To build on our response this Government is listening to the people. The situation in the Middle East affects everyone.
“Everyone should have a say on potential edicts issued by the Government which would affect them. Last month we called for businesses, fuel users, freight operators, and the wider public to report any regulatory barriers that might be hindering our response to global fuel uncertainty to the Red Tape Tipline.”
Feedback received is now being refined into a series of potential regulatory changes aimed at improving efficiency and reducing fuel use.
Proposals under consideration include allowing some heavy vehicles to carry more weight per trip to reduce total journeys, aligning licence class thresholds for zero-emissions vehicles with diesel equivalents, and relaxing time and access restrictions for over-dimension vehicles to enable off-peak travel.
The Government is also considering removing some route restrictions that currently prevent over-dimension vehicles from using certain motorways and toll roads, which can force less direct routes and increase fuel consumption.
Seymour says the work is part of the National Fuel Response Plan, with a focus on maintaining current conditions.
“We are still in Phase 1 of the National Fuel Response Plan, but we don’t want a repeat of the Covid-19 lockdowns. Doing the work to boost fuel efficiency now helps ensure we can stay in Phase 1 for as long as possible, causing the least disruption to Kiwis,” he says.
Bishop says feedback from the freight sector has highlighted the impact of current weight rules on productivity.
“One of the consistent messages from the freight sector is that current weight restrictions – formally known as the Vehicle Dimensions and Mass (VDAM) Rule – are holding back efficiency,” Bishop says.
“In the short term, even small increases in permitted loads could reduce the number of trips needed, saving time, lowering costs, and reducing fuel use.
“We need to balance that with safety and network impacts, but there are sensible changes we can make that will lift productivity without compromising standards.
“Fuel prices are already putting pressure on households and businesses, which is why this work matters. Getting ahead of the problem now helps reduce the impact if global conditions worsen.”
The Government says options are being developed so they can be implemented quickly if New Zealand moves to Phase 2 of the fuel response plan, with proposals expected to be ready by the end of the month.
Some changes could also be considered as longer-term reforms aimed at reducing the impact of higher fuel prices on the economy.
