Some rules around heavy vehicles are being permanently loosened as the Government confirms new changes to cut fuel use amid the global energy supply shock.
Ministers confirmed today that some regulatory changes would take permanent effect soon, while measures such as allowing heavier trucking loads had been assigned to higher fuel response phases and would be activated only if conditions worsened.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said the Government had made sensible trade-offs.
“Fuel prices are already putting pressure on households and businesses, which is why this work matters. Getting ahead of the problem now helps reduce the impact if global conditions worsen," he said in a media release.
"We need to balance benefits with safety and network impacts, but there are sensible changes we can make that will lift productivity without compromising standards."
The permanent changes are to be implemented "as soon as practicable".
Heavier zero-emission vehicles considered in changes
Today's announcement coincides with an update from energy officials on the country's fuel stocks, with warnings that supplies are expected to dip over the coming weeks as New Zealand works through a wave of large shipments that arrived in late April.
Among changes, Class 1 licenced drivers will be able to operate heavier zero-emission vehicles, and those with a Class 2 licence will be able to drive heavier electric buses.
Changes were expected to "remove an obstacle to businesses using zero-emissions vehicles, which are heavier than their diesel equivalents".
"Fuel savings are expected to grow over time as New Zealand’s vehicle fleet incorporates more zero-emissions vehicles in response to the change."
Meanwhile, permit requirements for 50MAX vehicles and for returning unladen rental high productivity motor vehicles to depots have also been scrapped.
"This means less paperwork for operators, lower compliance costs, fewer delays and improved freight efficiency. Previously, operators were required to secure a permit to transport empty rented trucks back to depots," according to the Government.
Phase four changes to allow heavier loads on trucks
Further changes have been locked in for higher fuel response phases.
While confident supplies are sound, the Govt has reset the phases for dealing with any disruption to stocks. (Source: 1News)
Regulation Minister David Seymour said analysis from the transport and regulation ministries had informed the decision to make some changes now.
"Other changes involve tougher trade-offs and are more appropriate for the higher phases of the fuel response plan. These ones will be ready to go when needed, but will only be activated if we move to the corresponding phase," Seymour said.
The Government said that if moving to phase two became less likely, some phased options could be reworked into longer-term measures to ease the pain of higher fuel prices. New Zealand was currently at phase one.
But if the country moved to phase two, over-dimension vehicles would be temporarily allowed onto some motorways and toll roads that they are currently barred from, shortening their routes and saving fuel.
Phase four was the highest alert level state for the fuel response plans and would trigger national fuel rationing, among other changes.
At that highest level of a national response, weight limits will be "temporarily" increased by 4% for high productivity motor vehicles — approximately a two-tonne increase per vehicle — and by 10% for 50MAX trucks, lifting the cap to 55 tonnes.
"This will mean heavy vehicles can carry more per weight per trip, so fewer trips are required, and fuel efficiency is increased."
MBIE says fuel stocks to dip and then come back
The confirmed changes stem from a public consultation process launched earlier this year, in which the Government invited businesses, fuel users, freight operators and the public to flag regulatory barriers through Seymour's red tape tipline.
The Government first signalled the rule changes in late April.
The confirmation of rule changes today comes as the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) said fuel stocks were expected to dip over the coming weeks as the country works through supplies delivered by a wave of large shipments in late April.
Between the May 18 and May 20 updates, total petrol stocks fell from 56.2 to 54 days' cover, and diesel eased from 46.3 to 46 days. Jet fuel bucked the trend, jumping from 47.7 to 55 days' cover thanks to a large shipment heading for New Zealand.
MBIE said the drawdown mirrored what had been seen between March and April, when stocks steadily declined before being replenished by new arrivals, and reflected normal shipping cycles rather than any supply disruption linked to the Middle East conflict.
"Following several large shipments in late April, total stocks will likely decrease over the coming weeks, before more ships arrive to replenish those stocks," a spokesperson said.
"Fuel importers have expressed good levels of confidence in their supplies, with confirmed orders to late June, and planned orders extending into August."
The number of fuel ships on water rose from 12 to 13, with five vessels inside New Zealand's exclusive economic zone and eight further out.
MBIE said there was no need for New Zealanders to change how they buy fuel, with stocks remaining well above minimum requirements.
One measure that had been under consideration was not included in today's announcement of rule changes — the relaxation of delivery curfews for heavy vehicles.
A Regulation Ministry document released in late April noted that curfews restricting when trucks can travel through populated areas could push heavy vehicles into peak-hour traffic, "increasing stop-start driving and idling".
Officials said at the time it was "assessing whether temporary flexibility around delivery windows and curfews could allow heavy vehicles to take more direct routes and move when roads are quieter, improving efficiency and reducing fuel use."
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