The New Zealand government is weighing the complete removal of its Clean Car Standard, a policy designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions from newly imported vehicles, just months after significantly reducing penalties for importing high-emission cars. The potential rollback has sparked criticism from climate activists who argue it signals a weakening commitment to emissions reduction targets.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop confirmed the government is undertaking a “first principles review” of the standard, with abolishment as a viable option. The review, which concluded a targeted consultation with industry stakeholders and experts earlier this month, was initiated after the government slashed fees for high-emitting vehicle importers by 80% in November 2025, citing supply constraints.
Climate Liberation Aotearoa activist Jen Olsen condemned the potential scrapping of the standard, arguing it prioritizes the motor industry over climate action. “To go backwards like this… is very disappointing,” Olsen said. She urged individuals to make environmentally conscious choices, specifically advising against the purchase of luxury vehicles like SUVs, which she claims can emit three to four times the carbon per kilometer compared to petrol vehicles. “It is going to have to be individuals who decide no, we don’t wish these vehicles.”
Olsen’s call for individual action comes after a personal experience with the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. In October 2025, a fallen tree damaged her home in Dunedin during severe storms, reinforcing her commitment to climate advocacy. “Extreme weather is happening more and more, and it’s not going to go away,” she stated. Climate Liberation Aotearoa as well opposes luxury cruises and unnecessary air travel, advocating for domestic holidays as a lower-emission alternative.
The Motor Industry Association has expressed a desire to maintain the Clean Car Standard, but argues it requires “recalibration” to better serve importers, distributors, and consumers. As of July 2025, the Clean Car Standard scheme had overseen the import of 589,000 vehicles, with 308,000 incurring charges and 276,000 receiving credits, indicating a net positive performance against the CO2 target average of 136 g/km.
The government’s review follows warnings from climate scientists about the escalating risks of global warming. Rosemary Penwarden, a spokesperson for supporters of Olsen, cited Professor James Renwick’s warning that reaching 3-4 degrees of global warming could lead to “the collapse of civilisation,” and argued that New Zealand’s current emissions trajectory aligns with this catastrophic scenario. Olsen herself was recently involved in a road block protest in September 2023, supporting Restore Passenger Rail’s demands for restored nationwide rail services and free local public transport.
The outcome of the government’s review is expected to be presented to Cabinet, with a decision pending. The Transport Ministry has not announced a timeline for the final decision.
