Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association - Latest News [Page 1]

EV Battery Fires Expose New Zealand Regulatory Gap
A new industry report investigates concerns around battery end-of-life management in Aotearoa. It finds that while a growing number of businesses are repurposing and recycling EV batteries, they are doing so without formal safety standards, oversight, ... More >>
EV Battery Fires Expose New Zealand Regulatory Gap
Tuesday, 27 May 2025, 10:19 am | Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association
In the wake of the Wairau Valley blaze — where lithium batteries may have contributed to the scale of destruction — the Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) is renewing its call for national standards governing the reuse and recycling of ... More >>
Government punctures tyre solution.
Tuesday, 2 June 2015, 3:32 pm | Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association
Government punctures tyre solution. The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (IMVIA) is extremely disappointed by the announcement today that the government has decided to not proceed with the declaration of tyres as a Priority Product under ... More >>
Vehicle importers group welcomes new mandatory safety tech
Wednesday, 26 February 2014, 4:12 pm | Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association
The peak body for New Zealand's used import industry – responsible for half of the vehicles currently entering the New Zealand fleet – has welcomed draft plans to make Electronic Stability Control mandatory for both new and used cars entering ... More >>

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NZ Autocar

3 hours ago

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Passengers seem more prone to motion sickness in EVs

Electric vehicles now account for almost one in four new car sales globally but an unanticipated side effect is emerging, that of increased motion sickness. According to the Guardian, EV passengers, especially those in the back seat, more often report feeling nauseous. An explanation lies in the brain's response to motion cues. William Emond, a PhD student studying car sickness in France, suggests that the cause is occupant unfamiliarity. Most people understand that engine sounds and vibrations in ICE power vehicles are associated with specific motion changes, like acceleration or deceleration. These help the brain prepare for movement, reducing the likelihood of motion sickness. Electric cars, however, operate almost silently. Therefore, they lack the mechanical feedback of vehicles powered by fossil fuels. Without engine revs or vibrations, passengers receive fewer auditory or tactile warnings of motion changes. There is therefore a disconnect between what the brain expects and what the body experiences, known as sensory mismatch. This mismatch is a well-known cause of motion sickness. For it creates confusion between the signals coming from the eyes, inner ear, and body. Not all back seat passengers prefer ICE power. Several reports corroborate this association. A 2020 study highlighted the absence of engine sound as a potential trigger of motion sickness. A study published last year found a strong link between motion sickness and fewer seat vibrations in electric vehicles. Another key factor is regenerative braking, a common feature in EVs. This system slows the car gradually by prolonged, low-frequency deceleration. Such slowing has been associated with heightened motion sickness, likely because it disrupts the brain's expectations about how and when the vehicle should slow down. Emond explains that the brain builds a 'motion model' based on experience, allowing it to anticipate how a vehicle will behave. When driving a familiar petrol car, people can rely on engine noise, vibration, and torque to predict movement. By contrast, EVs represent a new motion environment, one in which the brain has no prior model to work from. The lack of anticipatory cues results in a sensory conflict that can trigger nausea if it continues for an extended period. As EV adoption increases, researchers are exploring ways to address this unique form of motion sickness. Some studies have proposed using visual or vibrational signals in EVs to help passengers anticipate changes in motion. Ambient lighting or seat vibrations could provide the brain with the information it needs to avoid the sensory mismatch that causes illness. Motion sickness may remain an unintended consequence of the transition to cleaner transport until working solutions are found.

Scoop

5 hours ago

• Scoop

VIA Applauds Government Move To Overhaul Land-Transport Rules

The Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association (VIA) has welcomed the announcement by Transport Minister Hon Chris Bishop of a seven-stream Land Transport Rules Reform Programme, describing it as 'the breakout moment the sector has been waiting for.' The programme's sixth stream – a complete overhaul of the vehicle regulatory system – directly answers VIA's long-standing call for a simpler, outcomes-based rulebook. 'Right now we're forced to navigate more than twenty different Land Transport Rules, seven separate Vehicle Inspection Requirement Manuals, and about fifty technical bulletins tacked onto the Entry Compliance Manual,' says VIA Chief Executive Greig Epps. 'That's regulatory archaeology. Every layer of paper adds cost without adding safety.' Mr Epps says the Government's pledge to streamline import requirements and recognise overseas standards is 'exactly the reset the industry – and ordinary Kiwi motorists – need'. 'If we focus on the result we all want – safe, clean vehicles at a fair price – then align the best international standards to that goal, compliance stops being a cost sink and starts being a productivity lever,' he says. VIA has argued for a two-tier framework: one rule that states the desired outcomes, and a dynamic list of accepted global standards that inspectors and importers can reference in real time. The Association will work with officials to uncover and fix duplicated rules and outdated requirements as consultation begins. 'We're ready to bring practical fixes to the table so the reform doesn't get bogged down in theory,' Mr Epps says. Minister Bishop's plan signals most decisions will be made within 18 months, with public consultation on the broader overhaul scheduled for mid-2026. 'We'll be at the front of that queue,' Mr Epps says. 'This is a chance to cut red tape, lower costs for families, and keep the fleet moving toward safer, lower-emission vehicles.' For more information: ABOUT VIA (Imported Motor Vehicle Industry Association) represents businesses involved in importing, preparing, wholesaling, and retailing used vehicles into New Zealand, primarily from Japan, Singapore, and other markets. As the industry's collective voice, VIA engages with government and stakeholders to support fair regulation and sustainable practices across the sector.

Scoop

13-06-2025

• Scoop

Supercharging Residential Solar Power Generation

Minister for Energy Hon Chris Penk Minister for Building and Construction The Government is expanding the permitted voltage range for electricity networks, so Kiwis with solar panels can send more power back to the grid. Changes are being made to clarify that a building consent is not needed to install rooftop solar panels on existing buildings. Councils will be required to process building consents for new homes with solar panels within 10 working days, down from the standard 20 working days. Common sense changes in the energy and building consent systems will drive greater residential solar uptake in New Zealand, Energy Minister Simon Watts and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk say. 'New Zealand's residential uptake of rooftop solar is lower than many other countries. This Government wants to change that so more Kiwis can generate, store, and send their own electricity back to the market. This will allow them to save on their power bills and contribute to a more secure electricity system,' Mr Watts says. 'Rooftop solar will play a crucial role in supporting energy security and reducing emissions. But our networks need to be able to better support the growing flow of electricity from consumers, while also dealing with growing demand for more electric vehicle charging. 'That's why we are expanding the voltage range from +/- 6 percent to +/- 10 percent to manage the changing flow of electricity from rooftop solar and EV charging. This will future proof our electricity system and help electrify the economy. 'Modelling suggests this change could boost solar investment and overall generation by a whopping 507 GWh through increased solar connections. This is great for the security of our energy supply.' Mr Penk says the building consent system can help accelerate the shift towards renewable energy. 'We need the right incentives in place to make rooftop solar a realistic option for Kiwis. 'The Government is focused on getting people into safe, affordable homes faster – and we want those homes to be sustainable and future-ready. 'With the energy system preparing for a surge in residential solar, the consenting process needs to play its part to support the transition. 'We are proposing changes to the Building Act, that will make it clear that a building consent is not needed to install rooftop solar panels on existing buildings. 'Right now, decision-making is inconsistent between councils – creating unnecessary barriers for homeowners who want to take responsibility for their environmental impact and make sustainable choices. "As a further incentive, we are also proposing that Kiwis who choose to include solar panels in the design of new homes will have their entire building consent fast-tracked and processed in 10 working days instead of the standard 20 working days, saving Kiwis around $400 a day in time and consenting costs.' 'Delivering the best outcomes for New Zealanders is incredibly important to Minister Penk and me. Expanding the voltage range could help avoid hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure upgrade costs to accommodate rooftop solar and EV charging being passed on to Kiwi households,' Mr Watts says. 'Combined, these common-sense and cost-effective changes will boost the resilience of New Zealand's electricity supply, make it easier and cheaper for Kiwis to build sustainable homes, and spur New Zealand's residential solar market into the future.' Notes: New Zealand appliance standards have aligned with international +/-10% voltage requirements since the 1980s, meaning compliant appliances should already operate safely within the new voltage range. Consumers using older devices that don't meet New Zealand or international appliance standards may use a surge protector, but consistent high-end voltage delivery is unlikely. The expert modelling referred to in this release was prepared by grid connection specialists, ASNA.