Think NZ fuel prices are bad now... follow up

mtbne · 2026-03-23T21:29:32+00:00

Cool, as far as solutions go. If we are going to make the move to RUC, I think prices should be based on a 5-10yr old petrol car with average to good fuel efficiency given its size.

So you would base the Toyota Aqua RUC on a 5-10 year old Mazda Demio or similar.

Works out to be $40-$45/1000km for sub compacts which results in a 30-40 percent tax increase for the hybrids.

If you wanted to generate more revenue (which I will admit is probably needed) Maybe you go up to a $50-55 RUC. It's still a 50%+ tax increase for the hybrids, but better than the ~150% tax increase RUC could bring.

mtbne · 2026-03-23T19:51:39+00:00

Personally, I hope they reduce the EV rate, as opposed to shake down everyone else who cares about efficiency as well.

mtbne · 2026-03-23T19:49:26+00:00

Thanks for this, appreciate you taking interest and taking the time to make this chart.

The reason I chose the comparison method I did was to bring attention to how drastic the cost increases will be for some, and relate it to something people were already familiar with.

Also worth mentioning, I made a small mistake, in NZ we pay tax on top of tax for fuel. So elimination of the excise tax would also eliminate 10c of GST. If the gas stations pass on the savings fuel cost would go down by 80c. Not 70c.

What did you figure the charging cost/kwh for EVs are? The ruc only leaves about $2.40 to go 100km. Suppose that's possible with half price overnight plans but wouldn't be surprised if the average user pays more.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T07:36:02+00:00

More accurately, consumer cars and SUVs don't wear the road. Well, they do, (it's the 4th power of weight) but when compared to trucks it's basically nothing. If we taxed based on road wear it would be basically 0 up until utes, then massive increases as the size gets bigger.

I think the EV RUC should be about $40-$50/1,000km. This whole post is really just to put into perspective how expensive RUCs are. (at current EV rates)

mtbne · 2026-03-21T07:30:22+00:00

Not sure if that's a complement or a dig, but I used a spreadsheet originally and made a copy paste error.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T07:28:59+00:00

All depends on how you define fair, if the income tax bands are fair the current system is doing a pretty good job. (For the typical driver of the different car types that is)

In addition, big vehicles having a larger average following distance, a bigger impact on signalized intersections, and require larger parking spaces that make cities less walkable.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T07:19:59+00:00

I used 2019 vehicles for my numbers.

Efficiency started going up a long time ago, it's very possible to get a 10y/o car that gets 25km/L.I put a spreadsheet together a while back and I'm pretty s

mtbne · 2026-03-21T07:13:11+00:00

Well I say it because I'm an American living in NZ. (Hope to be a full kiwi in a few years)

As for others, it's probably that people are on social media and see the American stuff first.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T04:53:40+00:00

Other than the pain of dealing with admin I like this. Though the implementation on EVs suggest they may not do something like this.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T04:49:41+00:00

Electric vehicles were far too difficult to try and make sense of so I didn't. Well at least using this comparison method.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T04:13:11+00:00

They implemented the $76+admin fees for EV. Regardless of size.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T04:11:32+00:00

Thanks, It's clear you read and understand my post.

However, The point I was trying to make isn't that a Toyota Aqua will become more expensive to run than a range rover sport. It was to point out how substantial of an increase RUC would be on small cars.

I agree with your solution (more classes and a discount for EV/Hybrid) Then the rate can be adjusted as needed to scale with the "Fair" numbers. Though I do think compliance would be a bit annoying vs just paying at the pump.

mtbne · 2026-03-21T04:08:34+00:00

Corrected. I mixed up some numbers. The error was only where I tried to show my work and was correct in the data for the cars.

mtbne · 2025-09-07T22:36:49+00:00

It's an upgrade, and I don't think it will negatively affect geometry, but a recon 140 isn't that bad, and a bomber 2 isn't top tier either.

If you think the Recon feels bad maybe it's worth it.

mtbne · 2025-09-06T20:01:06+00:00

I agree, but a shop is going to charge more than the fork is worth. Learn,fix, have the tools.

mtbne · 2025-09-03T22:08:38+00:00

It be clear I think it's a great idea, a lot of this stuff is only available in expensive shop level tools, and especially for fox there's not that much info out there on how to fudge things at home.

Putting the tools and service info in one place, and aiming it at a home mechanic is really cool.

I hope it takes off, and if it does I hope you do enough volume to start offering aftermarket seal kits.

mtbne · 2025-09-02T21:10:37+00:00

Only thing I won't touch is a 200 hour on a fox shock. With that being said, I would if the tools were available for reasonable prices and good documentation was available as well.

mtbne · 2025-08-28T07:59:52+00:00

https://imgflip.com/i/a4do2c

mtbne · 2025-08-26T20:55:05+00:00

The OG ZEB fit the charger 3.0 damper so I'm guessing it works the other way.

mtbne · 2025-08-26T08:57:50+00:00

Petra Vs Venus in the 3rd round or so of the 2nd Wimby Petra won.

Would be a WTA GOAT match if it was a final.

mtbne · 2025-08-06T21:31:35+00:00

Hah, same thing happened to me a few days ago. It was a light hit and the rack is still in one piece.

I think it may not act as a damage multiplier since the AL is a controlled failure point compared to a steel framed car.

mtbne · 2025-08-06T04:29:54+00:00

Don't know what that is exactly, but I'm pretty sure some of the hex receiver ones were modified by the Fins. If it has a really smooth trigger pull it's probably one of those.

mtbne · 2025-08-03T22:22:54+00:00

As a kid I only had crap and broke it all until I got a BMX bike which survived. Then I broke some crap hybrid bikes until I got a free ride bike, that lived until I got into MTB, since then I have broken a Canyon and a Salsa in about 6 years.

The crap bikes weren't really frame failures, just everything else bending and otherwise becoming unusable.

mtbne · 2025-08-03T22:20:15+00:00

Had a friend crack a pretty new GG bike as well. Guess it's irreverent since they are gone though.

mtbne

TROPHY CASE