Energy

Economic recession kept the 2025 road toll low

Economic recession kept the 2025 road toll low, says the car review website dogandlemon.com

As of December 16, 2025, the New Zealand road toll was 268, compared to 292 for the whole of 2024 

Electric vehicle buyers may lose out in industry meltdown

Unsold Tesla Cybertrucks

 

Buyers of some new electric cars could easily end up with a near-worthless lemon, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an acknowledged expert on the car industry, warns:

The trucking industry wants the government to close down its more efficient rival: rail

The New Zealand government must ignore the trucking industry’s attempt to close down inter-island rail freight, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Dogandlemon.com editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says:

General election outcome may swing on Auckland light rail

The government will probably lose the general election if it continues with its proposed Auckland Dominion Road Light Rail project, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Congestion charges hand over our roads to wealthy motorists

Congestion charges penalise poor people and fail to deal with the reasons for traffic congestion, says the car review website dogandlemon.com. 

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:

“Congestion charges discourage ride-sharing and encourage wealthier people to use cars. But cities like Auckland weren’t built by wealthy people; Auckland was built by poor people who often had little choice but to drive to work.”

UK bans e-scooters from pavements, bans private scooters, requires driver’s licence for scooter riders

New Zealand should follow the lead of the UK and introduce sensible regulations for e-scooters, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who is an outspoken road safety campaigner, says:

Taxpayer handouts to electric car buyers will not save the planet

Taxpayer handouts to electric car buyers will not save the planet, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson, who has studied electric cars for over a decade, says:

Petrol taxes are subsidising the trucking industry

Light petrol and diesel vehicles are paying far more than their share of transport taxes, says the car review website dogandlemon.com.

Editor Clive Matthew-Wilson says:

“Taxes on small vehicles pay nearly three quarters of the cost of building our highways. Yet these small vehicles get the least benefit from these highways. Effectively, the owners of petrol cars and light commercial vehicles are subsidising large trucks and buses.”

Pages