National Party leader Christopher Luxon has promised 10,000 electric vehicle charges by 2030 if elected.<\/p>\n
It comes as Luxon and other party members visit Christchurch.<\/p>\n
Speaking to media, Luxon repeated his concern for the economy and said that New Zealand is the only country in the Asia-Pacific region that is in a recession.<\/p>\n
He was shocked, he said, by Labour leader Chris Hipkins’ claim that the economic fundamentals are in great shape.<\/p>\n
“Kiwis up and down this country are doing it incredibly tough. They are experiencing a cost-of-living crisis that is going on and on …”<\/p>\n
He said National has the economic plan to get the economy moving again.<\/p>\n
As part of rebuilding the economy, infrastructure needs to be improved, Luxon said.<\/p>\n
More investment in the transport sector will be accelerating the transition to electric vehicles, including the supporting infrastructure.<\/p>\n
New Zealand is the worst in the OECD in the area, with Luxon saying at present, the country only has one public charger per 95 EVs, where in the UK, there is one public charger for 20 EVs.<\/p>\n
“That’s where we need to be heading to.”<\/p>\n
Motorists were concerned over being able to get to where they wanted to be in an EV – and it was a barrier to people buying them.<\/p>\n
Luxon referred to it as “range anxiety for electric vehicles”.<\/p>\n
To combat that, National wanted to invest in a network and deliver 10,000 chargers that will be in place by 2030.<\/p>\n
Luxon said $257 million will be spent on the chargers. The ultra-fast broadband model will be revived so the government will work with business to deliver it.<\/p>\n