A shift in when New Zealand will hit peak petrol imports

After initially predicting it will peak around next year, Channel Infrastructure says the early 2030s is now the more likely date.

It comes as the company announced plans for an energy precinct at Marsden Point.

Chief executive Rob Buchanan says some of the reasons of this shift are reductions in vehicle kilometres travelled, and purchasing of new vehicles.

He says they've also seen a dramatic reduction in EV registrations, now they compete with internal combustion engines.