Master Plumbers welcomes the Government's proposed 'Clean Car Discount' to make electric, hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles more affordable for New Zealanders.

Master Plumbers Chief Executive Greg Wallace says the plumbing, gasfitting and drainlaying trades need to embrace technology and sustainability when purchasing vehicles for their businesses.

"We have to think ahead," he says. "Electric vehicles (EVs) cost less to run - making them a good business choice - and, thanks to New Zealand's renewable electricity, they are more environmentally friendly than traditional petrol or diesel vehicles."

"The range of EV models available here today is limited, so plumbers in rural areas requiring four-wheel drive, or those hauling large amounts of equipment or towing trailers will need to keep using conventional vehicles for now, but EV technology will only get better in the future."

"Some of our members in urban areas have already been successfully using light electric vehicles in their fleets for years."

In 2017, Auckland plumbing company Quix Commercial purchased two second-hand Nissan ENV200 imports to add to their fleet.

They cost $25,000 each, including GST, and had just 1,500km on the clock. They have now done around 35,000km with very little maintenance costs beyond replacing tyres, wiper blades and air-conditioning filters - with no significant loss of battery capacity.

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