Potential impact of consumer behaviour and fossil fuelled hydrogen generation on national energy policy of New Zealand

Abstract

In 2008 greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector in New Zealand accounted for 19% of total emissions. Studies using the multi sector partial equilibrium model UniSyD show that vehicle costs and driving range when weighted to reflect consumer choice can result in a 38% reduction in the penetration of alternative fuelled light vehicles by 2050 and consequently is a significant factor in determining the rate of reduction in greenhouse gases. Furthermore even under a high carbon tax of US$120/t-CO2, greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 in the electricity generation and transport sectors are unlikely to be reduced to less than 8% above 1990 levels. Reductions in emissions below this level will require government policy interventions to limit the use of petroleum based transport fuels.