Dear [NZ First MP]​



[I live in or near your electoral constituency and have voted for you, or know people that have in the past. This is my personal message about why you should listen to this letter.]





Thank you for New Zealand First’s contribution to a better New Zealand, one where we take seriously the Climate Emergency. I appreciate your work in passing the Zero Carbon bill, which calls for New Zealand to implement climate change policies. Please support the Clean Car Discount (CCD) and Clean Car Standard (CCS) policies, as they are important climate change policies that are needed to reach our Zero Carbon goals.





The main barrier to Electric Vehicle adoption in NZ is the higher upfront cost of EVs in comparison to Fossil Fuel vehicles. The CCD will:



Lower the barrier to electric/hybrid/cleaner car purchases.



Give fuel savings of $5,200 on average per vehicle.

Be revenue neutral - Offers choices to the market and requires no taxpayer money.

Ensure that the harm to climate and society from high emission vehicles is included in the price of the vehicle.

Reduces Air pollution and CO₂ emissions.





New Zealand is one of only three developed countries without regulations to influence the fuel efficiency of light vehicles entering our country. The CCS will:



Bring our new vehicle fleet up to the level of similarly developed OECD countries.

Fuel savings for New Zealanders $6,800 on average per vehicle.



Reduces Air pollution and CO₂ emissions.





There are also flow on economical benefits from embracing electric vehicles:

The transport sector is responsible for 20% of all NZ emissions. Cuts made here will reduce the size of the cuts needed in other sectors, eg. the agriculture sector.

NZ spends over $7 billion on fossil fuel every year. Reducing this figure through electrification will reduce our trade deficit and mean more money in our own economy



More demand for electricity will allow already consented renewable energy projects to be built.



Our economy will be less affected by fluctuations in the global oil market.

The 2012 Health and Air Pollution report found that vehicle emissions are directly responsible for the deaths of approximately 256 New Zealanders every year.



found that vehicle emissions are directly responsible for the deaths of approximately 256 New Zealanders every year. It also found that there are 352,300 health impacted days annually, and this has a combined additional social cost of $934 million every year.







Your office will no doubt have received calls, letters and emails from people opposed to these policies. Although these people are loud, they do not represent the majority of New Zealanders and they are not informed about the benefits of electric vehicles.





Surveys have consistently shown that the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders want action on Climate Change. 79% of New Zealanders believe that climate change is important according to an IAG-Ipsos Poll in 2019. The Clean Car Legislation reflects what the people want and it is your job to communicate the benefits and basis for these policies.





I absolutely agree that farmers should not be left behind without a suitable vehicle choice, however the current policy has provision for these vehicles. The Nissan Navara Double Cab 4x4 Manual ute with a 5 star safety rating has tailpipe emissions of only 172g/km and is thus included in the zero band of the CCD. New Zealand First can best serve farmers by working with their coalition parties to farmer proof the policy and ensure there is support for farmers to transition to fit-for-purpose cleaner vehicles and exemptions where needed if low emission vehicle options are not yet available in that category. Farmers' livelihoods are most at risk from Climate Change.





We and others have seen New Zealand First standing with other leaders at the front of Climate Action. We urge you to help your constituents understand these policies, and work with your coalition partners to make meaningful climate policy. It is up to leaders to lead, to make decisions based on scientific consensus and published facts





Kind regards,

[Name]

​​