The number of EVs in NZ has grown considerably since 2021. A rebate scheme, a growing selection of EV models, and favourable pricing for entry-level vehicles led to increased uptake in 2022-2023.
In 2024, EV market share decreased. The ending of rebates and the implementation of road taxes, matching diesel rates, caused a decline in demand.
All new car purchases (irrespective of fuel type) have been significantly down in 2024.
September 2024 Update
In September 2024, 955 fully electric light vehicles (BEVs) were registered.
| Type of light vehicle | Number of BEVs |
| NZ new passenger cars | 868 |
| NZ new light commercial (utes + vans) | 8 |
| Used imports | 79 |
| Total | 955 |
A further 493 plug-in hybrids were registered.
In September, 15% of NZ’s new passenger cars were plug-in EVs (battery electric or plug-in hybrid). Nissan sold the most fully electric vehicles of all brands.
So far this year, 10.1% of new passenger cars were plug-in EVs (down from 27.2% for all of 2023).
How many fully electric vehicles are there in New Zealand?
As of the end of September 2024, there are almost 78,000 fully electric light vehicles (plus around 33,700 plug-in hybrids).
BEVs in New Zealand
Number and percentage of battery electric vehicles in light vehicle fleet
What proportion of new cars registered each month are fully electric?
The monthly number of EVs varied greatly in the last quarter of 2023 (due to the impending cessation of a government incentive scheme). 2024 has a reduced but more consistent monthly market share.
This chart includes ONLY new passenger cars (it does not include used imports or commercial vehicles such as utes or vans).
Explore market share of new passenger cars (interactive) →
How many plug-in vehicles are there in New Zealand?
NZTA defines an electric vehicle (EV) as either fully electric or plug-in hybrid (as both can be propelled by externally charged electricity).
Both kinds of vehicles have shown significant growth since 2019. Although there are more fully electric vehicles on the roads than PHEVs, the share of PHEVs among plug-in vehicles has grown marginally faster.
Plug-in EVs in New Zealand
Number and percentage of plug-ins (BEV + PHEV) in light vehicle fleet
What proportion of new cars sold monthly are plug-in hybrid or fully electric?
This chart includes ONLY new passenger cars (it does not include used imports or commercial vehicles such as utes or vans).
How has electric car market share changed over time?
In 2020, just 2.8% of new passenger cars were plug-ins. The huge market share of 2023 coincided with the impending ending of a rebate scheme.
What does the make-up of the light vehicle fleet look like?
If the vehicle fleet were represented by 100 vehicles, it would look like this.
NZ light vehicle fleet
Drill down into market share of all light vehicles →
Are electric vehicles replacing petrol vehicles?
The peak number of petrol vehicles (non-hybrids) 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 0.6% of all new utes and vans registered in 2024 (up to Sept) were plug-in electric vehicles.
Drill down into the light vehicle market →
References
- Vehicle registration data sourced from NZTA 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.
