Access to special vehicle lanes
As part of the Programme, the Government has agreed to an initiative to enable road controlling authorities (RCAs) to make bylaws to allow EVs access to special vehicle lanes (including transit, high occupancy vehicle, priority bypass, and bus lanes).
Cabinet agreed that the Minister of Transport should introduce legislation to:
amend the Land Transport Act 1998 to clearly empower road controlling authorities to make bylaws allowing EVs to use special vehicle lanes
make amendments to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, and related provisions in the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004, to enable RCAs to allow EVs access to special vehicle lanes
The means of making the Land Transport Act 1998 change was the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act. The respective rule changes were progressed separately under section 152A of the Land Transport Act 1998.
Following legislative changes, opening up special vehicle lanes to EVs will ultimately be a decision for RCAs, in consultation with communities.
Cabinet agreed that the Minister of Transport should introduce legislation to:
amend the Land Transport Act 1998 to clearly empower road controlling authorities to make bylaws allowing EVs to use special vehicle lanes
make amendments to the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, and related provisions in the Land Transport Rule: Traffic Control Devices 2004, to enable RCAs to allow EVs access to special vehicle lanes
The means of making the Land Transport Act 1998 change was the Energy Innovation (Electric Vehicles and Other Matters) Amendment Act. The respective rule changes were progressed separately under section 152A of the Land Transport Act 1998.
Following legislative changes, opening up special vehicle lanes to EVs will ultimately be a decision for RCAs, in consultation with communities.
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