पेट्रोल वाहनों को दूरी-आधारित शुल्क में परिवर्तित करने की सरकारी नीति।
Petrol cars are eventually joining RUC. The petrol tax at the pump will go away, replaced by distance-based charges like diesel and EVs already pay. The system's getting a digital upgrade first. The Bill would remove paper-label requirements and open the system to a wider range of providers and payment options. Those reforms are expected to take effect in 2027, but no date has been set for petrol vehicles to start paying RUC.
The petrol tax worked great when everyone drove petrol cars that all used roughly the same fuel. But that world is disappearing.
In 2015, NZ had about 12,000 petrol-electric hybrids. By 2025, that number hit 350,000+. These vehicles use the same roads but contribute far less through petrol tax.
This is the core equity problem the transition is designed to fix.
This is the agreed direction of travel. Some settings already apply; others still depend on the Bill and final regulations.
Since April 2024, light EVs pay $76/1,000km and PHEVs pay $38/1,000km
The end goal is complete removal of fuel excise duty at the pump
The Bill would remove windscreen-sticker requirements and make the central digital record the proof of compliance
The reforms would let a wider range of approved providers sell and manage RUC services
The proposed framework supports options such as post-pay and monthly billing, subject to final regulations
Approved built-in vehicle systems may be usable, while manual alternatives will remain available
The government has been clear these are still open questions. The Ministry's market work and the final legislation and regulations will inform what happens next.
Modernising reforms are expected to take effect in 2027, but the date and method for moving petrol cars remain TBC.
Will it be the same $76 as EVs? Or different? Rates will be set closer to implementation.
Can private RUC Providers charge whatever they want, or will government regulate margins?
What happens if you don't choose a provider? Who's the default option?
Will there be help for low-income households who might struggle with periodic RUC bills?
Will the light petrol fleet join at once, or move gradually under a phased approach?
April 2024
Light EVs and PHEVs enter RUC system
August 2025
Minister announces petrol transition plans
November 2025
Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill introduced
January 2026
Public submissions close
February 2026
RFI for future RUC services closes
March 2026
Ministry reports 44 local and international RFI responses
May 2026
Select Committee reports back
June 2026
Regulations consultation closes and Bill passes second reading
Later 2026
Committee of the whole House and remaining parliamentary stages
2027
Reforms expected to take effect; Cabinet considers petrol-fleet next steps
July 2027
Heavy EVs join RUC
TBC
Petrol vehicles mandated to join
The Land Transport (Revenue) Amendment Bill is the key Bill intended to enable this. It has passed its second reading but is not yet law. Here's what it would do:
No more mandatory windscreen stickers. Compliance moves to digital records.
Private companies can sell RUC, collect payments, and offer flexible plans.
Any approved tech can be a distance recorder. In-car systems, apps, whatever works.
Registered person (not driver) becomes liable for tolls and charges. Simpler for fleets.
Policy and strategy
Sets the direction, writes the legislation, runs consultations
Regulation and systems
The RUC Collector. Manages the database, approves providers, monitors compliance
Enforcement
Current roadside enforcement, moving toward digital plate lookups under the proposed system
Legislation
Passes the laws, takes public submissions via Select Committee
Nothing changes yet
Keep paying at the pump as normal. The transition date hasn't been set.
When it happens, petrol tax goes away
Fuel will be cheaper at the pump. You'll pay RUC separately instead.
The aim is a simpler experience
No paper-label requirement, with room for options such as automatic top-ups or monthly billing.
You should have provider choices
Approved providers could offer different services and payment plans within the same regulated system.
This is a multi-year transition. The rules will evolve as the Bill completes Parliament, supporting regulations are finalised and the provider market develops. We'll update this guide as things become clearer. For now, diesel and EV owners are already in the system. Petrol owners: watch this space.
