Transport Minister and Tauranga MP Simon Bridges has asked his officials to look at ways in which Government can increase the uptake of electric cars.
The minister said New Zealand was "the most electric vehicle-ready country in the world" because of its significant renewable electricity sources, its motorists' relatively short travel distances, and the high proportion of off-street parking.
In a speech to energy executives yesterday, Mr Bridges said he had asked the Ministry of Transport to provide advice on whether the Government could play a role in facilitating the uptake of EVs.
He told the Herald the Government was not interested in regulation changes or further subsidies for EV users or manufacturers, but he wanted to investigate options to "nudge New Zealand in the direction of higher EV pickup".
At present, only three brands of electric or hybrid cars were sold in this country. Many big manufacturers did not bother to sell electric cars in New Zealand because it was too small a market.