www.autofile.co.nz
JUNE 2025
THE TRUSTED VOICE OF NZ’s AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SINCE 1984
Appeal for overhaul of clean car scheme
Finance company rebrands for future p6
Group adds value to showrooms p 12 VIA says changing the CCS will encourage more imports of used hybrids and EVs
Minister urged to act as used-vehicle importers raise alarm over ability to meet emissions goals
A
n industry association is calling for a significant rethink of the clean car standard (CCS) as it warns the current system is not allowing importers to meet targets set to reduce emissions. A key concern of the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is the weight adjustment used to calculate individual targets, which it says incentivises heavier vehicles and penalises lighter, more fuel-efficient models. As a result, it’s urging the government to overhaul or remove
the CCS a little more than two years after the scheme first came into effect. Instead of working out goals for different models, it recommends applying flat penalties for each gram of carbon dioxide (CO2) over a set threshold when vehicles are first registered. It also suggests a new levy on petrol to encourage consumers to buy cleaner cars. VIA warns unless action is taken, the CCS in its current form will exacerbate problems around vehicle shortages, rising costs and market inefficiencies, and lead to a
more polluting and ageing fleet. Weight-adjusted targets have been applied under the CCS since its introduction in January 2023. The government says the formula it uses acknowledges heavier vehicles will have higher CO2 values and its calculations make allowance for this. Greig Epps, VIA’s chief executive, told Autofile the association wants that element removed and says doing so will allow more affordable used hybrids and EVs to flow into the country. “As a fleet, we’re not meeting
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Combined range reaches 1,200km Coping with F1 pressure cooker p 24
Tribunal warns upkeep essential
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