New Zealand criticized for axing proposal

The New Zealand government is in “cuckoo land” for abandoning plans to introduce fuel-efficiency standards for vehicles, the Green Party says. It was estimated that the scheme, which would have required importers to buy credits for less fuel-efficient vehicles, which could have boosted the vehicle purchase price up to NZ$1,500 (US$1,023). Green Party Transport Spokeswoman Jeanette Fitzsimons said the move was unsound economically and environmentally. “This is saying there is no climate change and fuel is going to be cheap forever,” she said. However, the Motor Industry Association (MIA) said it was pleased that common sense had prevailed. If it had come to fruition the fuel economy standard would have meant that importers of less fuel efficient vehicles would have had to buy credits, with vehicles with greater fuel efficiency being awarded credits, said MIA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Perry Kerr. (August 28, 2009)