The #UteTax (aka #CleanCarDiscount) bought out the #nzpol and #car lobbyists when it was first introduced

Its good to see summaries like https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/the-whole-truth/132086902/the-whole-truth-did-the-ute-tax-stop-us-buying-gas-guzzlers, but these are only half the story

The reality is that some people do need actually NEED utes - as opposed to some people who WANT utes. What is unclear is who the ute tax has impacted, whether it is a permanent change or delay, and with the level of politicisation going on, whether we will ever have a clear picture

#Wellington has the #RestorePassengerRail protesters disrupting transport in our capital

#Auckland has #kiwirail disrupting #transport in our biggest city

After years of poor quality #publicTransport - but more importantly, the poor communication around disruptions often adding hours to my commute each week - I finally bought a car

Arguably, sorting out public transport will do more towards reducing our #emissions than the #CleanCarDiscount

The #CleanCarDiscount (branded by some in #nzpol as the #uteTax) was introduced to #NZ 2 years ago with the intention of nudging vehicle buyers to low emission vehicles as part of NZs obligation to #netZero (and potentially saving millions in later payments and actions)

With the announcement of changes coming, both #Ford and #Toyota have expressed concerns on behalf of their customers

Coincidentally, the last two years - since the CCD was introduced - have been great for Ranger & Hilux sales

The #NZgovt has just changed the #CleanCarDiscount

The CCD makes a difference of up to $14k in tax based on emissions

To many of us, it's pretty abstract cause we wouldn't consider buying a new car

Every time the Govt mentions it, there is a howl of "think of our farmers" - weirdly this protest is from people who aren't farmers, and farmers are an edge case compared to the total number of #highemission vehicles sold

And all the while, #NZers know we are missing our #emissiontargets

Much noise from commentators and people with loud voices in #NZ when #modellers released figures (and the supporting details) around #covid #R0 #estimates

No such clamour when the #MIA - an industry body with 100% vested interests "predicts" the #CleanCarDiscount will increase prices up to 25%, without releasing their supporting information

i do wonder why the same people criticising one estimate are so open to uncritically accepting another estimate

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/479631/motor-industry-predicts-used-car-prices-will-rise-up-to-25-percent-under-clean-car-standard