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New Zealand road signs to become electric car-friendly

Xinhua, June 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first official road signs for New Zealand's budding network of electric vehicle charging stations were unveiled Friday with the government claiming it as a sign of its commitment to electric transport.

The signs would be rolled out on roads across the country, Transport Minister Simon Bridges said in a statement.

"It's clear that electric vehicles are the future and the government is committed to accelerating uptake in New Zealand," said Bridges.

"We have recognized there are a number of barriers preventing households switching to electric vehicles, such as a lack of awareness of electric vehicles and widespread public charging infrastructure," he said.

"To help people transition from petrol and diesel we need to ensure there is easy access to charging infrastructure and that it is easy to find. The launch of national charging signage is a great first step in helping motorists switch to electric."

Bridges said the government was working on progressing its electric vehicles program, which aims to double the number of electric vehicles on the road every year for the next five years to reach about 64,000 by 2021.

The package would tackle and remove barriers that had prevented households and business from choosing electric, such as the limited selection of models available, a lack of widespread public charging infrastructure, and lack of awareness about electric vehicles.

The program includes exemption for heavy electric vehicles until they make up 2 percent of the heavy vehicle fleet; proposals to investigate the bulk purchase of electric vehicles in the government and private sectors; and supporting the roll-out of public charging infrastructure. Endit