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Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins have announced the Government’s 2017 electric vehicle (EV) registrations target has been achieved 5 months early.

“This is great news and a reflection of the work undertaken by the Government and private sector in normalising the purchase and integration of EVs into the New Zealand vehicle fleet,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Judith Collins
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Transport Minister Simon Bridges and Energy and Resources Minister Judith Collins have announced new measures to support the uptake of electric vehicles and improve energy efficiency in New Zealand.

The Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill, which passed its third reading today, implements parts of the Government’s Electric Vehicles Programme, makes changes to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) levy funding, and clarifies how electricity industry legislation applies to secondary networks.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Judith Collins
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Energy and Environment Plenary

I’d like to start by acknowledging:

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Energy and Resources and Transport Minister Simon Bridges has introduced the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Bill to Parliament today.

The Bill implements parts of the Government’s Electric Vehicles Programme, makes changes to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority’s (EECA) levy funding, and clarifies how electricity industry legislation applies to secondary networks.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today opened the Government’s Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund.

The fund is one of 14 initiatives in the Government’s electric vehicles programme, which has a target of doubling the number of electric vehicles (EVs) on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021.

Up to $4 million is available in 2016/17 with up to $6 million available in future years.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has introduced the Land Transport Amendment Bill to Parliament today which will modernise regulation of small passenger services, update rules for heavy vehicles and improve road safety.

“The Land Transport Amendment Bill will overhaul key areas of transport law to modernise the sector and make travelling more efficient and safer,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Transport Minister Simon Bridges has launched the Government’s electric vehicles information campaign to mark the start of International Drive Electric Week.

The international event has started and runs until 18 September. 

“International Drive Electric Week will be the biggest ever celebration of electric vehicles in New Zealand, increasing from just a few events in 2015 to more than 50 events around the country this year. Our EV community is hosting the most events outside of the United States,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced the members of the Electric Vehicles (EVs) Leadership Group as part of the Government’s programme to accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand.

In May the Government launched its Electric Vehicles Programme which aims to double the number of EVs on New Zealand roads each year to reach 64,000 by 2021.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges today released details of the first round of the Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund. 

The fund is part of the Government’s ambitious electric vehicles (EVs) programme announced in May to help accelerate the uptake of EVs in New Zealand.

Up to $4 million is available in 2016/17, with up to $6 million available in future years.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Energy and Resources
  • Transport

Ten per cent of New Zealand’s urban streets are now lit by safer, cheaper and more efficient LED lighting, Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Transport Minister Simon Bridges today announced an ambitious and wide ranging package of measures to increase the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Transport and Energy Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges today opened two new electric vehicle charging stations at Bayfair Shopping Centre.

“As Minister of both Transport and Energy & Resources, I’ve long been a proponent of electric vehicles so it’s great to see local businesses getting on board and providing this infrastructure free to the Tauranga community,” Mr Bridges says.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Associate Climate Change Issues Minister Simon Bridges will tomorrow travel to Paris, France to take part in the Paris Climate Change Conference.

“For the first time leaders will seek to agree a new binding climate change agreement that includes contributions from all major emitting countries.

“Ensuring maximum participation will be essential for putting the world on a path to keeping global temperature rise below two degrees.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources
  • Climate Change Issues

An online tool aimed at demystifying the cost of running an electric vehicle (EV) has been officially launched by Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges this morning.

Speaking at the New Zealand Transport Fuels and Fleet Management Summit, Mr Bridges says research - by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) and the Ministry of Transport - shows around half of corporate fleet managers do not have information comparing the running costs of EVs with petrol or diesel vehicles.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Good morning everyone.

Transitioning to a low carbon economy and making the most of technology are significant themes in both my energy and transport portfolios.

New Zealand faces transport and energy challenges.  We want to continue to grow our economy and help New Zealanders to prosper. This means we need secure and affordable energy, and a transport system that meets people’s needs. At the same time, we have to reduce our carbon emissions.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources
  • Climate Change Issues

Good morning everyone, and thanks for the opportunity to present to you today. I’d like to start by talking a little about the role Government plays in ensuring the safe, efficient and reliable supply of transport fuels, minimising barriers to competition, and promoting a competitive market.

Of course, environmental outcomes are also very important.

Government’s role

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

As Energy Ministers, the delivery of resilient energy infrastructure is at the heart of what we do.

Climate-proofing that infrastructure is an increasingly important part of that work as we seek to understand the growing uncertainties and challenges presented by climate change and extreme weather events.

In New Zealand, the 2011 Canterbury Earthquake was a stark reminder of the devastating impact a natural disaster can have.  Here in the Philippines, Typhoon Haiyan wreaked havoc just two years ago.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Transport and Energy and Resources Minister, Simon Bridges, will attend APEC meetings in the Philippines this week, promoting economic cooperation and opportunities.

Mr Bridges will attend the 9th APEC Transportation Ministerial Meeting from 8-10 October, and the 12th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting from 12-14 October.

The Transportation Ministerial Meeting includes sessions on investment, resilience, intelligent transport systems and clean technology.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Transport Minister Simon Bridges will promote New Zealand as a test bed for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) and new investments through a range of meetings in the USA and Japan this week.

On the first leg of his trip, Mr Bridges will meet with major vehicle manufacturers and businesses at the cutting-edge of transport and energy technologies in Silicon Valley, California.

“I believe New Zealand has strong potential as a test-bed for new transport technologies, something I am keen to promote to the USA.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources

Urban streets will soon be lined with safer, cheaper, more efficient LED (light-emitting diode) lighting thanks to an accelerated funding model, Transport and Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges says.

At today’s Road Lighting Conference in Auckland, the Minister announced a NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) policy change that will allow local authorities looking at upgrading road lighting to LED to access funding faster.

  • Simon Bridges
  • Transport
  • Energy and Resources