KEY POINTS:
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is worried about lower petrol consumption affecting its levy system.
Briefing papers prepared for new ACC Minister Maryan Street, released today, say the Government's strategy to move towards carbon neutrality will have an impact on the amount of money it collects.
New cars are becoming more efficient, there are more hybrid vehicles on the roads and the number of electric and biofuel vehicles is increasing.
"As a result, the same number of vehicles on the road may use, on average, less fuel and pay lower levies," the papers say.
"As sustainability concerns become more evident in the make-up of New Zealand's vehicle fleet levy collection methods to replace the petrol excise duty will need to be considered."
The papers also deal with cross-subsidisation between road users.
They say about one third of new serious injury claims in the Motor Vehicle Account were by motorcyclists and pillion passengers.
"The average cost of motorcycle injuries per year is $1500 per registered motorcycle.
"At present motorcyclists pay approximately $204.66 in registration and a limited petrol levy due to motorcycle efficiency," the papers say.
"In the existing process, other road users are cross-subsidising motorcyclists."
However, ACC has no plans to change that because, it says, charging the full cost to motorcyclists would introduce an affordability and fairness issue.
"It is accepted that they are involved in high-cost serious injuries but they are not always at fault."
- NZPA
