The Clean Car Standard and the Clean Car Discount form the central pillars of a range of government initiatives to tackle transport sector CO2 emission levels and help address climate change.
The Clean Car Discount focuses on influencing vehicle demand and the Clean Car Standard on influencing vehicle supply.
The Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019 requires CO2 emissions to be reduced to net zero by 2050. As transport is responsible for 47 percent of the domestic CO2 in New Zealand, this target cannot be achieved without decarbonising transport.
The Clean Car Standard is a government target that regulates importers to reduce CO2 emissions of vehicles entering New Zealand to specific standards and targets.
The Clean Car Discount encourages buyer demand for low-emission vehicles by providing rebates for zero and low-emission light vehicles, and requiring a fee be paid for high-emission vehicles, registered in New Zealand for the first time.
The Clean Car Discount is based on CO2 emissions. Vehicles first registered after 1 April 2022 with zero or low-emissions may be eligible for a rebate and those with high-emissions incur a fee.
