8. Question No. 8—TransportSHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of TransportQuestion No. 8—Transport8. SHANAN HALBERT (Labour—Northcote) to the Minister of Transport: What recent reports has he seen on the progress of the Clean Car Discount scheme?Hon MICHAEL WOOD (Minister of Transport): I've seen some excellent recent reports which show that the Clean Car Discount scheme is progressing very well with over 19500 rebates already processed. In just its first year the scheme has proven a huge success with more than 57000 light electric and non – plug-in hybrid vehicles registered and in some recent months around about 45 percent of imports into New Zealand being low- or zero-emissions vehicles. Importers are responding to the surge in demand and we're seeing a greater number and a greater range of low-emissions vehicles across all types for Kiwis. By choosing to purchase electric vehicles New Zealanders are collectively helping our nation to transition to a cleaner more efficient vehicle fleet. Our world is experiencing a climate crisis and while some oppose any change to reduce emissions our Government is acting.Shanan Halbert: What benefits is the Clean Car Discount scheme providing for our country's greenhouse gas emissions?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: New Zealand sits at the end of a very long supply chain and could easily become a dumping ground for the world's dirtiest vehicles. We know that transport emissions make up 43 percent of New Zealand's total carbon dioxide emissions and the Clean Car Discount is helping to power the transition of our vehicle fleet along. Over the long run cleaner electric vehicles also will prove to be cheaper for consumers to maintain once fuel costs are taken into account. By reducing the upfront cost through rebates to New Zealanders we're making clean vehicles a more viable option and enabling a domestic second-hand market for clean vehicles to flourish for all New Zealanders to access.Shanan Halbert: What other work is the Government doing to build on the success of the Clean Car Discount scheme to decarbonise the transport sector?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: We've seen the impact of climate change over the last month with extreme weather events in New Zealand and a record heat wave in Europe so it is time to act. The reality of climate change is upon us. In the transport sector as well as the Clean Car Discount scheme the Government is building mass rapid transit solutions in our major cities supporting higher-quality public transport and investing in high-quality walking and cycling projects all around the country and all of these measures will help to reduce our carbon emissions. On this side of the House we've set out a pathway to reaching our emission targets by 2050. The Clean Car Discount scheme is proving to be enormously successful—above expectations—in helping us to get there.Simeon Brown: Has the Minister seen reports that the Clean Car Discount scheme has paid out more than $85 million more in discounts and subsidies than has been received in fees and if so is the Minister considering increasing the car tax on hard-working Kiwis to continue subsidising wealthy Kiwis who can already afford Teslas?Hon MICHAEL WOOD: I've seen a range of reports about the level of discounts and fees charged under the scheme and as anyone who had been following the policy in any detail would be aware the fees under the scheme only came into effect on 1 April this year; whereas the rebate started on 1 July last year. That is why there is an imbalance at this stage. There is a much-closer balance between the two over recent months. In respect of the member's suggestion that the scheme is only delivering for high-income New Zealanders he is absolutely wrong. The largest-selling vehicle types under the Clean Car Discount scheme are on the used side for vehicles that are commonly sold at under $20000.