Auckland’s EV Transit Lane Trial

The NZ Transport Agency is consulting on a proposal to allow electric vehicles access to specified special vehicles lanes.

And we’re left wondering why Auckland City Council isn’t a driving force behind the decision?

The proposed bylaw will allow EVs access to 11 priority bypass lanes at state highway onramps in Auckland, for a 12 month trial period.

We totally support electric buses and we’re now promoting eBikes, but we need to save the planet with urgency by getting petrol and diesel cars off our roads. Remember T2 and T3 lane access for EV’s will last until we reach 2% penetration of EVs on the road, so it’s a temporary measure to flip the nations fleet to electric.

Ten of these special vehicle lanes are currently reserved for use by high-occupancy (T2) motor vehicles and trucks, and one is a bus-only onramp.

For more information on electric vehicles and how much an EV could save you, check out our EV Buyers Guide and EV Calculator.

There’s no doubt that the bylaw has the potential to put more EVs on New Zealand’s roads. In fact, it’s part of the Government’s package to encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand to 64,000 by the end of 2021.

NZs Leading ELECTRIC VEHICLE Buyers Guide

However, we’re still waiting for Auckland City Council to open roads (under their jurisdiction) to EVs, which has proved a successful tactic in Europe.

If the bylaw is approved the trial will commence on 25thAugust 2017.

This consultation is taking place in anticipation of legislative changes being made by Parliament in the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Bill.

Send your feedback to [email protected]
The consultation closes at 5pm on Thursday 3 August 2017.