The Green Party says the Government’s move to cave in to industry by gutting the Clean Car Standard scheme is a reminder why National can’t be trusted.
“This Government is so deeply in the pocket of industry, it will dispense with any progressive climate policy to keep big business happy,” says the Green Party spokesperson for Transport Julie Anne Genter.
“National promised to retain the Clean Car Standard, but their changes will render it utterly futile. Meanwhile their promise to build 10,000 EV chargers by 2030 is far from fruition, with just 57 built this year. New Zealanders cannot take Christopher Luxon at his word.
“The Government’s scrapping of the Clean Car Discount and now their weakening of the Standard will only result in more polluting vehicles on our roads and higher fuel bills.
“If the Government really cared about reducing New Zealanders’ transport costs, they’d invest in public transport and bring back the half price fares for children that they canned. Instead they’re bailing out the car industry and propping up one of our highest emitting sectors.
“They're also rushing these cowardly changes through Parliament in just a week. Combined with ploughing through the green belt in Wellington for highway building, this marks a sad day for transport policy in Aotearoa.
“The Greens would support people to get off fossil fuels, whether by investing in public transport, supporting them to purchase an EV, or investing in renewable energy.
”Climate action is cost of living action. The Greens have a plan to drive down our emissions, create thousands of good green jobs, and cut household costs,” says Julie Anne Genter.
Latest Transport Announcements
Story
Govt gets it wrong with cancelled ferries
Story
Greens launch petition for regional passenger rail
Story
Raising speed limits on undivided highways invites trouble
Story
One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Story
Public transport fare hikes a disaster
Story