“The scheme is so out-of-whack with reality that even some hybrid vehicles will attract charges rather than credits.”
The Government’s changes at the time included cutting the top rate for new vehicles from $67.50 to $15 per gram of CO2 and the top rate for used vehicles from $33.75 to $7.50 for 2026 and 2027.
It was estimated at the time the changes would avoid $264 million in net charges being passed on in higher vehicle prices.
In March, he told RNZ one possible outcome of the review was scrapping the scheme.
However, Bishop today said the Government would retain the standard while promising to “calibrate the settings so they are realistic and achievable for industry”.
He said the review found the standard was the “most cost-effective way” to improve the availability of lower-emission vehicles and was endorsed by industry members.
“In feedback on the review, industry noted that the Standard is now well established in New Zealand, with importers accumulating credits and charges over time.
“Removing it at this stage would be highly disruptive for the vehicle industry.
“The Government has therefore decided to retain a standard and progress work to calibrate the settings so they are realistic and achievable for industry.”
Bishop said different targets would also be set for used vehicle imports, which officials will report back on early next year to inform new targets and settings due to take effect from January 1, 2028.
Adam Pearse is the deputy political editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.