More and more Kiwis are switching to electric vehicles to help reduce carbon emissions.
But how do we reduce emissions for the actual construction of the roads? Well, a new machine has been switched on that not only recycles the tarseal but also has fewer emissions.
Spreading the good news at an asphalt recycling plant in Auckland.
"This is a win, win, win," said Minister of Transport Michael Wood.
Behold the crusher better known as the Keestrack R3e. It's believed to be the first of its kind in Australasia and will sort, crush and shred old road materials like rocks and concrete waste.
"There's a more efficient process, we have less waste and ultimately that's a more cost-effective way of building and maintaining our roads as well," Wood said.
And because it's electric there's an advantage for our climate.
"This particular plant is about to save about 80 tonnes per year in CO2 emissions," Equip2 general manager Bert Hart said.
Also playing an important part is a really long extension cord.
"That reduces the reliance on things like diesel loaders or diggers to move things around the yard, we can actually take the electric crusher to where it's needed," said Fulton Hogan Auckland regional manager James Weller.
Infrastructure company Fulton Hogan will use it to make new roading material. The crusher will recycle all milled asphalt which will then be blended with virgin asphalt at mixes of between 10 percent and 40 percent.
"We've got a big challenge on how to decarbonise transport, some of that's about what we build but it's also about how we build it," Wood said.
While 10-40 percent recycled asphalt is a start, Hart said in Europe they're recycling 100 percent of asphalt to go back into it.
Thanks to a machine, turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones.
