The New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) has revealed that it will go ahead with its plans to trial electric vehicles on the state highways in Auckland for a period of two weeks beginning from 6 to 20 March this year.

NZTA has decided to go ahead with the trial after reviewing all responses.

For this trial, the highway agency will use five special vehicle lanes on state highways.

"Providing incentives to encourage electric vehicle uptake is an important component of the Government’s Electric Vehicle Programme."

The New Zealand Transport Agency group manager for planning and investment Robert Brodnax said: “The NZ Transport Agency is working to support the Government’s aim of significantly increasing the uptake of electric vehicles in New Zealand to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Providing incentives to encourage electric vehicle uptake is an important component of the Government’s Electric Vehicle Programme, and enabling road controlling authorities to allow electric vehicles in special vehicle lanes is one of those incentives.”

The New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport is presently working on proposed legislative and road rule changes that would enable road controlling authorities, including local and regional councils, the Transport Agency and other organisations, to allow electric vehicles into special vehicle lanes.

These changes are expected to take effect on 1 July this year.

Brodnax added: “While some of the feedback on the bylaw focused on the impact of allowing electric vehicles to use bus lanes, this trial only provides access to priority bypass lanes, which allow vehicles faster access to motorways.

"The trial does not include allowing electric vehicle access to bus lanes.”