The number of EVs in NZ has grown considerably since 2021. The combination of a rebate scheme, a growing selection of EV models, and favourable pricing for entry-level vehicles lead to increased uptake.
However, 2024 sees a substantial drop in EV market share. With rebates ending and the implementation of road taxes (matching the rates that diesel vehicles pay), demand has fallen.
Market Update
April 2024 marks the fourth month in a row of low EV registrations.
In April, 368 fully electric light vehicles (BEVs) were registered.
| Type of light vehicle | Number of Full EVs |
| NZ new passenger cars | 262 |
| NZ new light commercial (utes + vans) | 6 |
| All used imports | 100 |
| Total | 368 |
A further 300 plug-in hybrids were registered.
7.3% of NZ’s new passenger cars were plug-in vehicles (full EVs or plug-in hybrids), down from 27.2% for all of 2023.
When focusing on fully electric vehicles, Tesla was the top selling brand in April.
How many fully electric vehicles are there in New Zealand?
As of the end of April 2024, there are around 74,600 fully electric light vehicles (plus almost 32,000 plug-in hybrids).
Cumulative number of fully electric vehicles in NZ
What proportion of new cars registered each month are fully electric?
During 2022 and 2023, the new passenger car market showed the strongest shift toward electric vehicles. Month-to-month numbers varied considerably (often skewed by large deliveries of Tesla vehicles once a quarter).
2024 (so far) paints a completely different picture, with four consecutive months of low market share.
Monthly number of new fully electric cars and market share
This chart includes ONLY new passenger cars (it does not include used imports or commercial vehicles such as utes or vans).
Drill down into EV market share (new cars) →
What proportion of new cars sold monthly are plug-in hybrid or fully electric?
NZTA defines an electric vehicle (EV) as either fully electric or plug-in hybrid (as both can be propelled by externally charged electricity – via a plug). However, the PHEVs level of electrified travel depends on whether the owner plugs in each night.
It’s entirely possible that a PHEV is never plugged in and consumes as much fuel as a combustion vehicle [2].
Monthly number of new plug-in cars and market share
This chart includes ONLY new passenger cars (it does not include used imports or commercial vehicles such as utes or vans).
How many EVs are there in NZ?
How many plug-in vehicles are currently registered to be on NZ roads?
Cumulative number of plug-in vehicles registered in NZ
How has electric car market share grown over time?
In 2018, just over 1% of all new cars registered were electric.
In 2023, the market share of fully electric and plug-in hybrid cars was over 27% – corresponding with a decline in demand for petrol-only cars.
2024 sees a substantial drop in market share.
Annual plug-in market share of new car registrations
Are electric vehicles replacing petrol vehicles?
The peak number of petrol vehicles in New Zealand occurred during 2019-2021 before declining.
Our roads are seeing more light diesel and hybrid vehicles and, to a lesser extent, more fully electric vehicles.
What proportion of new utes or vans registered are plug-in hybrid or electric?
Only 1.5% of all new utes and vans registered in 2023 were plug-in vehicles.
Drill down into light vehicle market →
References
- Vehicle registration data sourced from Waka Kotahi and the Ministry of Transport (see all sources).
- PHEV real-world consumption tests in Europe showed 3.5 times more fuel consumed than estimated, and PHEVs are charged much less than anticipated.
