Electric cars in bus lanes

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gzt

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#195826 6-May-2016 11:38

As part of an incentive package the government intends to allow electric cars in bus lanes:

NZHerald: Motorists in EVs would also be permitted to drive in bus lanes and high-occupancy vehicle lanes on state highways and local roads.

This is unnecessary. There are already good reasons to purchase electric vehicles. Other parts of the proposed policy group are very sensible. Maybe this is a plan to allow government ministers to use the bus lane like they always wanted to.

It will be an additional and silent safety issue for cyclists in areas with combined lanes.

There are a fair number of electric vehicles already and it will be an issue for buses.

Tldr; incentive is unnecessary, danger to cyclists, impediment for buses; bad idea.

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#1547566 6-May-2016 12:11

I agree it's silly to let them in bus lanes - transit lanes I could see, but not bus lanes. Different incentives need to be made to increase EV uptake - most places overseas use rebate type incentives as far as I'm aware to offset some of the upfront purchase difference.

Lias

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#1547569 6-May-2016 12:13

What the government needs to do is stop ACC from bending motorcyclists over with the exorbitant levy scam they have going on. Electric cars are just as bad as petrol/diesel cars from a traffic congestion and parking point of view, the more people on motorcycles the better yet ACC is determined to drive people away from bikes.

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davidcole

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#1547571 6-May-2016 12:16

Stupidest idea on the planet. Defeats the purpose of bus lanes which are to expedite public transport. I fail to see how this can be classed as an incentive for an EV owner.

Also the cyclist argument I take exception with...our trolly buses use bus lanes, apart from bad driving I've never heard of a cyclist being hit because they never heard the bus.

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gzt

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#1547573 6-May-2016 12:19

davidcole: Stupidest idea on the planet. Defeats the purpose of bus lanes which are to expedite public transport. I fail to see how this can be classed as an incentive for an EV owner.

Also the cyclist argument I take exception with...our trolly buses use bus lanes, apart from bad driving I've never heard of a cyclist being hit because they never heard the bus.

True enough but TBs have professional drivers, cyclists are looking for very large and visible vehicle, vehicle of a single type. Vs EV's doing typical car things..

davidcole

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#1547580 6-May-2016 12:25

gzt:
davidcole:

Stupidest idea on the planet. Defeats the purpose of bus lanes which are to expedite public transport. I fail to see how this can be classed as an incentive for an EV owner.

Also the cyclist argument I take exception with...our trolly buses use bus lanes, apart from bad driving I've never heard of a cyclist being hit because they never heard the bus.

True enough but you have professional drivers, very large and visible vehicle, vehicle of a single type to look out for etc. Vs EV's doing typical car things..

Ha ha ha ha ha ha you're trolling me right? Professional drivers?

But yes putting car drivers - regardless of the type of car would be a stupid idea in bus lanes because of all the reasons you stated. Lack of noise would I think be the least of your worries.

timbosan

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#1547581 6-May-2016 12:27

Lias:

What the government needs to do is stop ACC from bending motorcyclists over with the exorbitant levy scam they have going on. Electric cars are just as bad as petrol/diesel cars from a traffic congestion and parking point of view, the more people on motorcycles the better yet ACC is determined to drive people away from bikes.

+1 on this - I ride a scooter to work and 99% of the traffic I pass (which is cars stuck at lights or motorway on-ramps) is single-person-in-a-car stuff. And the amount I pay for rego on a 150cc scooter is way more than I pay on my 3.2 litre car, which just don't make sense!

gsr

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#1547588 6-May-2016 12:34

davidcole:

gzt:
davidcole:

Stupidest idea on the planet. Defeats the purpose of bus lanes which are to expedite public transport. I fail to see how this can be classed as an incentive for an EV owner.

Also the cyclist argument I take exception with...our trolly buses use bus lanes, apart from bad driving I've never heard of a cyclist being hit because they never heard the bus.

True enough but you have professional drivers, very large and visible vehicle, vehicle of a single type to look out for etc. Vs EV's doing typical car things..

Ha ha ha ha ha ha you're trolling me right? Professional drivers?

But yes putting car drivers - regardless of the type of car would be a stupid idea in bus lanes because of all the reasons you stated. Lack of noise would I think be the least of your worries.

As someone who rides in bus lanes in Auckland very often, I agree that (at least 90%) bus drivers seem to be much better prepared to deal with cyclists in the bus lane.

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jarledb

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#1547590 6-May-2016 12:35

The government is not doing anything to push EVs in New Zealand. What makes them think people will pile on to get an electric vehicle by extending the exception to the RUC?

In places like Auckland I think we will see an increase in EVs on the road, because of the new rule that they can use the bus lanes. But if you buy an EV to get faster to work, be aware that they will probably remove this incentive as soon as it starts to become a major problem. They did the same in Norway (where the EVs are also exempt of GST and other taxes), and they have had to take away the right to use the bus lane on certain stretches of road because the bus lane got filled up with EVs.

There are 1000 EVs in NZ at the moment, allowing them to use the bus lane will to little to disrupt anything now. And with the "incentives" from the government I don't think anyone need to worry there will be lots of them anytime soon. But people with enough money in cities like Auckland and Wellington will be getting an EV as their second car (used for commuting).

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gzt

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#1547591 6-May-2016 12:35

davidcole:
gzt:
davidcole:

Stupidest idea on the planet. Defeats the purpose of bus lanes which are to expedite public transport. I fail to see how this can be classed as an incentive for an EV owner.

Also the cyclist argument I take exception with...our trolly buses use bus lanes, apart from bad driving I've never heard of a cyclist being hit because they never heard the bus.

True enough but you have professional drivers, very large and visible vehicle, vehicle of a single type to look out for etc. Vs EV's doing typical car things..

Ha ha ha ha ha ha you're trolling me right? Professional drivers?

But yes putting car drivers - regardless of the type of car would be a stupid idea in bus lanes because of all the reasons you stated. Lack of noise would I think be the least of your worries.

Lol. I agree with the sentiment, but they are employed therefore professional, and their driving habits can be mitigated by company policy if required.

MikeB4

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#1547593 6-May-2016 12:39

Don't have an issue with, gets them through the congestion easier answer lessens the chance of them running out of juice especially in the areas of the motorways that no longer have emergency service lanes

old3eyes

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#1547594 6-May-2016 12:43

davidcole:

Stupidest idea on the planet. Defeats the purpose of bus lanes which are to expedite public transport. I fail to see how this can be classed as an incentive for an EV owner.

Also the cyclist argument I take exception with...our trolly buses use bus lanes, apart from bad driving I've never heard of a cyclist being hit because they never heard the bus.

Note what has happened in Norway. EV have been removed from bus lanes due to the congestion they have added

http://www.thelocal.no/20150506/norway-strips-electric-cars-of-ke

If they want to see EV get on the roads they need a tax incentive . At present I can buy two new Mazda 2s for the cost of one new EV. They the manufactures need to get their prices down for it to take off here.. I'd love an EV but not at the prices in NZ and for the fact that there are no new ones here only second hand imports from Japan or the UK..

Regards,

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trig42

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#1547595 6-May-2016 12:45

I think they should be able to use Transit lanes, but not bus lanes (does that include the Northern Expressway though? - I'd love to drive down that on a busy Friday afternoon).

gzt

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#1547596 6-May-2016 12:50

jarledb: There are 1000 EVs in NZ at the moment, allowing them to use the bus lane will to little to disrupt anything now.

This low number surprises me. I spot the Leaf all the time in Auckland. Where is that number from? I'm sure it is much higher. It does make sense they will be concentrated in urban areas. Auckland suburban and city traffic is a perfect use case.

And with the "incentives" from the government I don't think anyone need to worry there will be lots of them anytime soon.

They are already economic for many users. Price is dropping. Manufacturers are increasing production. Secondhand market is healthy.

But people with enough money in cities like Auckland and Wellington will be getting an EV as their second car (used for commuting).

Yep it's happening.

Sam91

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#1547599 6-May-2016 12:55

I agree it's unnecessary.

Any Northern Express travellers out there? This reminds me of the Greville Rd on-ramp where there is a transit lane. During peak hour the Northern Express pulls off at Greville Rd and goes through to the transit lane on the Greville on-ramp, after the transit lane there is a bus lane. The problem is, the transit lane is only few hundred metres long, so all these T2 cars end up blocking access to the bus lane as they try to merge. Sometimes it can take several minutes for the buses to get through.

gzt

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#1547600 6-May-2016 12:59

trig42: I think they should be able to use Transit lanes, but not bus lanes (does that include the Northern Expressway though? - I'd love to drive down that on a busy Friday afternoon).

The purpose of T2 is to reduce congestion. EV use of T2 does nothing for that. Enforcement is not easy anyway and adding EVs would just make it more problematic.

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