Give us a break – that’s the message from an electric vehicle proponent to Government.

AN electric car lobbyist is asking for a tax break for the battery-prioritised vehicles from whichever Government is formed.

Drive Electric, a not-for-profit, says a fringe benefit tax relaxation for EVs entering corporate fleets would drive more demand.

The Auckland operative, headed by a former boss of BMW New Zealand, Mark Gilbert (right), is encouraging whatever administration results from the current talks that will see New Zealand First, which holds the balance of power, side with either Labour-Greens or National,  to consider its ideas about FBT.

Drive Electric is suggesting a so-called “switch” scheme that would involve the incoming EV attracting the lower FBT rate of the outgoing fossil fuel vehicle.

FBT is lower on fossil fuel vehicles because they are much cheaper than EVs at present, Gilbert points out.

“New EVs cost between $50,000 and $80,000 compared with $30,000 and $40,000 for a comparable car that runs on fossil fuel.

“Allowing EVs to pay the lower rate of FBT could be the tipping point for many more corporates to add EVs to their fleets.

“It’s attractive because it’s revenue neutral to the company, and the Inland Revenue Department, (albeit a lost opportunity-cost for a period), and puts another EV on the road delivering ultra-low or no emissions.”

It’s also an opportunity for Government to secure more revenue from goods and services tax, because EVs are more expensive, Gilbert says.

Some corporates have already seen the benefits of electric vehicles and are introducing them into their fleets but not at the pace required to deliver the government targets, Gilbert says.

“However, the 'Switch' programme we are proposing would help achieve the government’s goal of getting 64,000 electric vehicles on New Zealand roads by 2021, or even faster, and perhaps even take it higher.”

Gilbert says a limit on how many times companies/cars could take advantage of the scheme, is a discussion point, and perhaps it’s a short term two to three-year stimulus rather than being open-ended.

“The programme would be focused on helping companies by eliminating the initial FBT increase, which in some cases could be double, in switching from fossil fuel vehicles to EVs.

“For example, the FBT attracted by a Renault Zoe, is circa double that of a Toyota Corolla due to the higher sticker price. FBT doesn’t account for a lower total cost of ownership, and this proposal would help immensely.

“It would also help companies acclimatise to running an EV fleet, with the need to think about issues like charging infrastructure.”

Having more EVs on the road also has positive social and economic implications, Gilbert says.

“It helps with sustainability and other economic benefits like cleaner air, less damage to roads, better health outcomes and is using New Zealand’s renewable energy.

“Then there’s the fuel savings that will assist New Zealand to become energy independent over time.”

Long-term the programme would also provide benefits for the buying public, he says.

“More new EVs in the country will eventually create a New Zealand- new used EV market to complement the used import EV market that already exists.”