eRUC: The Next Era of New Zealand Roads | Interview with Nick Leggett
Nick Leggett commenced in the role of Chief Executive of Infrastructure New Zealand in April 2023. Previously Chief Executive of the road transport industry peak body, Ia Ara Aotearoa Transporting New Zealand, Nick’s professional career has always centred around the need for quality and sustainable infrastructure.
What you’ll learn:
Why eRUC matters now: How fuel efficiency, EV adoption, and declining petrol tax revenues have made the old system unsustainable.
How eRUC works: The shift from fuel excise to distance-based charging, and the role of GPS/odometer technology.
Lessons from heavy vehicles: What New Zealand has already learned from decades of applying road user charges to trucks.
The bigger picture: Why this reform isn’t just about roads, but about New
Timestamps:
01:05 – The Biggest Change in 50 Years
Minister Bishop’s announcement: moving away from fuel excise (petrol tax) to electronic road user charges (eRUC). Why this is a generational shift.
02:25 – Why the Current Model is Breaking Down
How fuel efficiency, EVs, and hybrids are eroding petrol tax revenues while still using road assets, and how eRUC aligns with a 30-year infrastructure vision and why bipartisan support is critical for stability.
06:12 – What is eRUC and How Does it Differ from Petrol Tax?
Explaining distance-based charging, fairness, and the role of GPS/odometer technology.
08:20 – Why Now?
Trends driving the shift: electrification, efficiency gains, equity issues, and declining revenue.
10:06 – Lessons from Heavy Vehicles
What New Zealand has learned from applying road user charges to trucks and how that informs rollout to light vehicles.
12:19 – Building Fairness into the System
How eRUC addresses regressiveness in petrol tax, with options for rebates, concessions, and dynamic pricing.
14:19 – Defining Success
What success looks like and how eRUC can build confidence that New Zealand can modernise and deliver infrastructure for the next generation.
