Consultation on a NZ Transport Agency proposal to allow electric vehicles access to 11 priority bypass lanes in Auckland starts today.
The Transport Agency is calling for public feedback from today (22 June) to 3 August, on a bylaw which will give drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) the opportunity to use specified priority bypass lanes on state highways in the Auckland region for a 12 month trial period.
“Allowing EVs to use special vehicle lanes, such as priority bypass lanes, is one of a number of Government incentives to encourage people to choose electric over conventional petrol or diesel vehicles, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” says Transport Agency Road Safety Director Harry Wilson.
“We know from our trial of five lanes in Auckland earlier this year that providing EV drivers the opportunity to use on-ramps gives them faster access to the motorway, reducing travel times. An extended trial will allow us to further monitor the potential benefits for EV drivers and the impact that EVs in special vehicle lanes have on other highway traffic.
“All the lanes we are proposing to open up to EVs were carefully assessed to consider issues of safety, lane entry and exit, current and future traffic flow, and the impact on public transport.”
Following the introduction of the proposed legislation and road rule changes, it will be up to individual road controlling authorities to decide on a case by case basis whether or not to allow electric vehicles access to individual special vehicle lanes - which include transit, priority bypass, high occupancy vehicle and bus lanes.
All special vehicle lanes that are able to be used by electric vehicles will be clearly marked with new signs and road markings.
An electric vehicle, as defined in the proposed amendment to the Land Transport Rule, is a vehicle that is wholly or partly powered by a battery that is charged by connecting to an external source of electricity
More information can be found at: www.nzta.govt.nz/auckland-electric-vehicles-phase-2-trial-bylaw-2017
