Activist Calls for Action Against Proposed Clean Car Standard Cuts

The New Zealand government is contemplating the elimination of the clean car standard, a regulation aimed at reducing average carbon dioxide emissions from new vehicles entering the country. This consideration follows a significant reduction in import fees for high-emission vehicles, which were slashed by 80 percent in November 2023. The proposed changes have sparked concerns among environmental activists, including Jen Olsen from Climate Liberation Aotearoa.

Olsen has urged the public to refrain from purchasing luxury vehicles, particularly sports utility vehicles (SUVs), which she claims can emit three to four times more carbon dioxide per kilometer than traditional petrol cars. “Carbon emissions are causing the climate emergency and all of the severe weather events that go with it. To go backwards like this for the sake of the motor industry is very disappointing,” she stated.

The activist emphasized that individual choices play a crucial role in combating climate change. “It is going to have to be individuals who decide no, we don’t want these vehicles. In a time of climate emergency, when we all need to be thinking about reducing our climate footprint, some things we can live without. Luxury cars are one of them,” Olsen said.

Olsen advocates for electric and hybrid vehicles as more environmentally friendly alternatives. “When you’re going to buy a car, there’s always information about the emissions it produces. I would ask people to look at this and take it seriously. All the figures say that electric vehicles are far better. Even a hybrid car will use a fraction of the petrol that a petrol car does, saving you money and saving emissions,” she explained.

The urgency of Olsen’s message is amplified by her personal experiences. In October 2025, severe storms led to a fallen tree damaging her home in Dunedin. “It’s been quite a big clean up. I was lucky there was little damage inside my house. But extreme weather is happening more and more, and it’s not going to go away. That’s why I’m so disappointed about where the government is going,” she remarked.

Olsen’s concerns extend beyond vehicles. She expressed opposition to luxury emissions in general, including practices like taking luxury cruises and long-haul flights. “If you’re going to take a holiday, please don’t take a cruise. If people are going overseas to visit family members that’s a different thing, but if you can take a holiday at home, think twice about taking a flight,” she advised.

As discussions continue regarding the clean car standard, the implications of the government’s potential policy shift raise significant questions about New Zealand’s commitment to addressing climate change and its impact on future generations. The voices of activists like Jen Olsen underscore the urgent need for collective action in the face of a growing climate crisis.