A pilot scheme to allow electric cars on priority lanes on Auckland's motorways has already drawn criticism before its launch in March.

Photo: 123rf

The two-week Transport Agency trial is expected to take place in March and will allow the drivers of electric vehicles - including hybrids - to use priority bypass lanes on six motorway onramps.

Owners of electric vehicles on the vehicle register in the city will receive a sticker to identify their cars during the trial

The government hoped to encourage more people to use environmentally cleaner cars

TransportBlog website editor Matt Lowrie said letting electric cars use priority lanes would not improve congestion.

Mr Lowrie said he wanted more focus on encouraging people to use public transport or ride share.

"All that's going to do is give one group of people one big advantage, and that will also cause confusion, and probably annoy other people who are stuck in traffic."

Mr Lowrie said he was not sure what the Transport Agency would gain from such a short trial.