'Ute tax' racked up $636.2m before it was scrapped

From April, EVs will also be on the hook for road-user charges. (Image: Getty)

Mon, 05 Feb 2024

Incentivising the use of electric and low-emission vehicles through the short-lived "feebate" scheme washed out at a net cost to taxpayers of $338.9 million, with the total expenditure amounting to $636.2m.Figures released by the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA), which administered the clean-car discount until the new coalition government canned it on Dec 31 last year, showed discount rebates amounted to $615.7m, paid out for the purchase of 192,082 electric and low-emission cars.Total fee revenues invoiced to buyers of high-emi...

Unlock all stories free for 10 days

Stay informed on business, government and financial developments across New Zealand.

Deeply researched, twice-edited and fact-checked news
Annual subscribers also receive a complimentary subscription to The Wall Street Journal
Personalised email news alerts, plus gift up to 5 stories a month to non-subscribers

We won’t charge for 10 days. You can cancel anytime with two clicks, an email or a phone call. Find out more.

We are serious about journalism.

Name {{ registerForm.errors.get('name') }}

Email address {{ registerForm.errors.get('email') }}

Phone Number {{ registerForm.errors.get('phone') }}

Job Title {{ registerForm.errors.get('title') }}

Password Minimum password length of 8 characters.
Require at least one upper and lowercase, numeric, and special character. {{ registerForm.errors.get('password') }}

Repeat password {{ registerForm.errors.get('password_confirmation') }}

We had trouble validating your card. It's possible your card provider is preventing us from charging the card. Please contact your card provider or customer support.

Credit Card

Cardholder's name

{{ __(plans[index].interval) | capitalize }} {{ plans[index].attributes.old_price | currency }} {{ plans[index].price | currency }}

You will be charged in 10 days unless you cancel beforehand.
We will remind you three times before charging you.
All subscriptions auto renew but are easy to cancel.

I Accept The Terms Of Service

{{ registerForm.errors.get('terms') }}

Tax: {{ taxAmount(selectedPlan) | currency }}

Total Price Including Tax: {{ priceWithTax(selectedPlan) | currency }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerSeat ? '/ '+ spark.seatName : '' }} {{ selectedPlan.type == 'user' && spark.chargesUsersPerTeam ? '/ '+ __('teams.team') : '' }} / {{ __(selectedPlan.interval) | capitalize }}

Markets Market close

NZ sharemarket up 0.1% on flat trading day

The S&P/NZX 50 Index closed at 11,790.92, up 14.18 points or 0.12%.

Graham Skellern 6:15pm

Policy

The Great Expectations on Kāinga Ora and KiwiRail

The Government is continuing to refresh boards and fire up expectations.

Dileepa Fonseka 5:55pm

The Great Expectations on Kāinga Ora and KiwiRail

Economy

Auckland tumbles, Southland on top in ASB regional scoreboard

Auckland has fallen to 5th place.

Tom Raynel 4:10pm

Auckland tumbles, Southland on top in ASB regional scoreboard

Sponsored

Smart chargers don't just charge EVs

They also take the pressure off a stressed power network - We.EV

We.EV

Sponsored

Big change coming to insurance

Industry reset sees risk-based pricing coming for many homeowners.

VERO

More Economy

Economy

Auckland tumbles, Southland on top in ASB regional scoreboard

Auckland has fallen to 5th place.

Tom Raynel 4:10pm

Economy

Business gloom offers inflation hope

The New Zealand Institute of Economic Research’s (NZIER) Quarterly Survey of Business Opinion shows a continued deterioration in business confidence in the second quarter.A net 35% of firms expected a deterioration in the general economic outlook over the coming months on a seaso...

Staff reporters 02 Jul 2024