New Zealand considers “car-free days” as global oil pressures rise

Authorities in New Zealand are exploring potential restrictions to conserve fuel, including car-free days, amid the ongoing oil crisis in the Middle East, according to New Zealand news portal Stuff.

The measures under review reference legislation from the early 1980s, when the Prime Minister Robert Muldoon government could limit gasoline sales, issue fuel rationing, and enforce mandatory “car-free days.” 

Discussions took place during a ministerial meeting on economic security and supply chains, prompted by soaring fuel prices and disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis emphasised that such restrictions are a contingency plan. 

“Those steps would only be necessary if we were seeing genuine disruption to our ability to get fuel beyond the 50 days of storage that we currently have,” she said.

Fuel prices have already risen sharply: 91-octane gasoline has surpassed $3 per litre, reaching up to $3.24 in some regions. Aviation fuel costs are also increasing, affecting air travel, with Air New Zealand warning of potential flight cancellations and higher ticket prices.

Government estimates indicate the country’s current fuel reserves are sufficient for approximately 50 days.

By Jeyhun Aghazada