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.
August 2024 Update
In August 2024, 657 fully electric light vehicles (BEVs) were registered.
| Type of light vehicle | Number of BEVs |
| NZ new passenger cars | 564 |
| NZ new light commercial (utes + vans) | 2 |
| Used imports | 91 |
| Total | 657 |
A further 340 plug-in hybrids were registered.
In August, 11.8% of NZ’s new passenger cars were plug-in EVs (battery electric or plug-in hybrid). Out of all brands, Tesla sold the most fully electric vehicles.
So far this year, 9.3% 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 August 2024, there are almost 77,000 fully electric light vehicles (plus around 33,200 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, up to now, reflects a markedly reduced market share, however numbers of fully electric vehicles have slowly been increasing (and are matching the early months of 2022).
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).
Explore market share of new passenger cars (interactive) →
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).
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 has electric car market share changed 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.
In 2024, market share is similar to 2021.
Annual plug-in market share of new car registrations
How many EVs are there in NZ?
Each month, new (or used import) vehicles are added to the light vehicle fleet, and a very small proportion are scrapped.
BEV (Battery electric)
from previous month
PHEV (Plug-in hybrid)
from previous month
Total Plug-in EVs
from previous month
Cumulative number of light plug-in vehicles registered in NZ
Drill down into market share of all light vehicles →
What proportion of the vehicle fleet is electric?
If the vehicle fleet were represented by 100 vehicles, it’s apparent that only a small number are electrified.
NZ light vehicle fleet
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 1.5% of all new utes and vans registered in 2023 were plug-in 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.
