New Zealand: Transport
Aviation talks face headwinds on rich-poor compromise
20 Apr 2016
A deal to slash aviation emissions later this year risks being blown off course unless it overcomes major differences between wealthy and developing countries.
Global electric car sales on the rise
19 Apr 2016
After four years of steady growth, US plug-in electric car sales were essentially flat last year. However, in other parts of the world, it was a different story.
Christchurch gets first fast-charging station
6 Apr 2016
Christchurch has its first rapid-charging station for electric vehicles.
The case for a carbon tax on airline flight tickets
6 Apr 2016
After years of delay, the international aviation industry is inching its way toward bringing its greenhouse emissions under some form of regulation.
Air NZ emissions move wins global support
5 Apr 2016
Air New Zealand’s move to offset greenhouse gas emissions from its aircraft by supporting the restoration of native forests is picking up international momentum.
Mighty River snaps up latest from Tesla
4 Apr 2016
Mighty River Power is adding the new Tesla Model 3 to its fleet of electric vehicles.
It wouldn't take much for e-cars to ease our emissions
30 Mar 2016
Replacing just 10 per cent of the cars in New Zealand with electric vehicles would cut the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by a million tonnes a year.
Capital plugs in to fast-charge e-car stations
29 Mar 2016
Wellington has its first high-speed electric car charging stations.
Black-out Bridges keeps us in the dark on e-cars
23 Mar 2016
Transport Minister Simon Bridges is refusing to release advice officials have given him on encouraging New Zealanders to switch to electric vehicles.
NZ needs standard e-car charging, says Volvo
16 Mar 2016
Volvo says calls for standardisation of charging infrastructure might help to grow the number of electric vehicles on New Zealand roads.
Air NZ's looking at biofuels again ... but will they work?
15 Mar 2016
Air New Zealand is investigating biofuels again – but an international expert says it is unlikely to do much to cut the greenhouse gas emissions.
Electric car sales worldwide are powering ahead
10 Mar 2016
Improved technology and falling costs are moving electric car sales into the fast lane as manufacturers are now able to achieve significant economies of scale.
Greens lament lost e-car opportunities
9 Mar 2016
Government inaction contributed to the disappearance of the cheapest new electric cars from the New Zealand market, the Green Party says.
Aviation losing emissions battle, say academics
8 Mar 2016
Climate-damaging emissions from aviation will continue to rise despite the best efforts of the airline industry to make air travel sustainable, a new study co-authored by a University of Otago researcher suggests.
Government on verge of e-car action
3 Mar 2016
The Government is about to announce a policy on electric cars - and it might include support for setting up a national system for charging the cars.
Vector adds to Auckland chargers
1 Mar 2016
Vector will open another electric vehicle charger in Auckland tomorrow.
Will self-driving cars make the world a better place?
29 Feb 2016
By ZIA WADUD.- I started learning to drive only three years ago and – inevitably – failed my first test. Naturally, I was disappointed: but then it occurred to me that I could avoid the whole issue, if only I could get my hands on a driverless car.
2040 will see electric-car sales in the millions, says report
26 Feb 2016
A quarter of the vehicles on the road in 2040 will be electric, forecasters say in a new report.
Vector increases charging points at Auckland e-car station
23 Feb 2016
Vector says its Auckland city electric vehicle charging stations are getting busy.
New aviation rules will just delay the heavy lifting
15 Feb 2016
There appeared to be some rare good news this week for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from aircraft.
Are electric vehicles really the best option?
18 Jan 2016
Jaguar Land Rover has become the latest car manufacturer to announce its entry into the world’s first fully electric racing series – the FIA Formula E World Championship.
Breakthrough ushers in era of guilt-free gas
30 Nov 2015
The UK government is giving no sign that it intends to replace fossil fuels with renewables, so the only way to avoid the carbon emissions from burning natural gas and oil is the widespread use of carbon capture and storage technology to extract CO₂ from the exhaust gases.
Greens show green light to electric vehicles
9 Nov 2015
A Green Party government would give tax breaks to companies using electric vehicles and giving staff public transport passes to get to and from work.
Lexus launches hydrogen 'bomb'
2 Nov 2015
Lexus’ hydrogen-powered LF-FC sedan has been unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show.
Cities are the key, says Auckland mayor
27 Oct 2015
Cities will lead the drive on climate change, says Auckland Mayor Len Brown.
Quality emissions key to airline offsets
27 Oct 2015
International aviation could meet climate commitments using only high-quality emission reductions, a new report shows.
Dutch team wins solar challenge ... again
27 Oct 2015
Dutch team Nuon Solar celebrated victory in a nail-biting race to the finish line at this year's Bridgestone World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide.
Electric trucks are getting a plug
19 Oct 2015
Electric trucks are on the agenda for a transport industry conference this week.
Air NZ backs global carbon market call
12 Oct 2015
Air New Zealand appears to support a global carbon market for the aviation industry.
Volkswagen budgets billions to stem cheating tide
28 Sep 2015
Volkswagen has set aside €6.5 billion to cover the costs of the growing scandal over cheating on emissions tests in the US.
Making e-cars fun: why new Porsche runs on batteries
21 Sep 2015
After a slow start, electric vehicles are gaining in popularity. London is now host to an electric car-sharing service, which proved successful in Paris.
Pssst! ... Government wants to kickstart e-cars
7 Sep 2015
The Government is looking at ways to encourage the switch to electric vehicles. But it is keeping the details secret.
Are electric aircraft the future or just wishful thinking?
31 Aug 2015
The future of aviation is dependent on finding an alternative power source. Is electricity the answer?
Here’s how we can save the car – and the planet
10 Aug 2015
Passenger cars are still the most popular transportation mode. In 2014, nearly 68m were produced globally.
‘Peak car’ means UK might get much closer to carbon targets than it realised
10 Aug 2015
Cars are one of the biggest threats to the planet. The transport sector accounts for more than 60% of global oil consumption and about a quarter of energy-related carbon emissions, and it’s seen as harder to decarbonise than other parts of the economy.
Arctic’s melting ice shrinks Europe-Asia shipping routes
10 Aug 2015
The disappearing Arctic ice cap will boost trade between north-west Europe and countries such as China, Japan and South Korea by making the sea routes far shorter, according to economic analysts.
Climate change brings ill winds for airline industry
20 Jul 2015
Scientists say wind patterns altered by climate variability are costing airlines millions of dollars in extra fuel and flying time − and increasing CO2emissions.
How the country can save $37 million a year ... use KiwiRail
13 Jul 2015
Treasury’s advice that the Government should stop propping up KiwiRail because it is too expensive fails to take into account the carbon cost of transporting freight by rail.
How long before you ditch your car for a driverless electric taxi?
13 Jul 2015
Trend-spotters may have declared the car is dead for 20-somethings in central London or Paris but among the rest of humanity sales of the ubiquitous gas-guzzler continue to climb.
How transport sharing boosts health, wealth and climate
6 Jul 2015
New research into how people’s habits change shows that everyone benefits from car-sharing schemes − apart from car manufacturers who suffer a loss of sales.
Desert farms could power flight with sunshine and seawater
15 Jun 2015
The aviation industry is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. In 2011 aviation contributed around 3% of Australia’s emissions. Despite improvements in efficiency, global aviation emissions are expected to grow 70% by 2020 from 2005.
Group aims to improve transport systems
15 Jun 2015
A high-level United Nations advisory group has agreed to take measures that could accelerate a shift toward safer, healthier, more efficient and sustainable transport systems.
Inter-island ferry tests cleaner fuels
25 May 2015
KiwiRail is testing the viability of using cleaner fuels for its ferries.
Consultants win award for bridge work
28 Apr 2015
Opus International Consultants’ work on reducing the environmental impact of maintaining the Auckland Harbour Bridge has bagged it an award.
Beehive wants us to drive green cars
20 Apr 2015
The Government is looking at how it can encourage New Zealanders to switch to alternative-fuel vehicles.
China helping London’s famous black cabs to turn green
13 Apr 2015
It’s the most famous taxi in the world and a British icon, rivalling the Queen and red pillar boxes for global recognition. Now there’s a battle to make London’s black cabs greener.
We're in the right gear to hit the e-car highway
23 Mar 2015
New Zealand could be one of the first countries with a complete network of charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles, the Electricity Networks’ Association says.
On yer bike, says pedal-power Mike
23 Mar 2015
Former Greenpeace activist Michael Tritt has found a new way, for him, to save the world – business.
Cheap fuel little help with emissions, says expert
9 Feb 2015
Cheap fuel prices will do little to help New Zealand’s greenhouse gas emissions profile, says transport and energy expert Professor Ralph Simms.
Kiwi keeps an eye on Qatar project environment
27 Jan 2015
A New Zealander is in the Middle East working to reduce the environmental impacts of a major sea port project.
Invites-only fast-track for seabed mine slammed as 'rushed, awful'
Fri 12 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | With the wider public shut out of submissions, critics including Te Pāti Māori, Kiwis Against Seabed Mining and Greenpeace say the process strips away robust scrutiny and risks setting a dangerous precedent.
Coal imports up 650%
Fri 12 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams and Liz Kivi | Coal imports are up 650% as generators stockpile the most polluting fossil fuel ahead of next winter.
International scientists slam NZ govt's proposed approach to methane
13 Aug 2025
New Zealand's proposed approach to methane emissions has again been attacked by international climate scientists, with a new study saying the attempt to redefine climate target-setting by livestock-exporting countries undermines the transition to a sustainable and equitable food system
Vector hits emissions reduction goal five years early
5 Sep 2025
By Liz Kivi | Auckland lines company Vector has met its 2030 emissions reduction reduction target five years early, more than halving its direct emissions, and crediting innovation and a laser-focus for its success in a hard-to-abate sector.
Indigenous forest 'islands' could help transition exotic plantations to native bush
Thu 11 Sep 2025
Native forest 'islands' within exotic plantations might be the key to transitioning plantations from exotic to Indigenous, according to new research.
'Non-negotiable' – EU carbon pricing to hit Kiwi exporters, expert warns
Thu 11 Sep 2025
By Shannon Morris-Williams | High carbon exports will inevitably face a high carbon tax at the EU border, possibly in the next five years, and high methane agricultural products might not be exempt, an international expert told a local audience yesterday.
