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 has dropped. With rebates ending and road taxes implemented (matching the rates that diesel vehicles pay), demand has fallen.
June 2024 Update
In June 2024, 618 fully electric light vehicles (BEVs) were registered.
| Type of light vehicle | Number of BEVs |
| NZ new passenger cars | 510 |
| NZ new light commercial (utes + vans) | 9 |
| Used imports | 99 |
| Total | 618 |
A further 318 plug-in hybrids were registered.
In June, 12.4% of NZ’s new passenger cars were plug-in vehicles (full EVs or plug-in hybrids). Out of all brands, Hyundai sold the most fully electric vehicles.
So far this year, 8.5% of new passenger cars were EVs (down from 27.2% for all of 2023).
How many fully electric vehicles are there in New Zealand?
As of the end of June 2024, there are around 75,700 fully electric light vehicles (plus around 32,500 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 a considerably lower 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) β
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 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.
2024 sees a substantial drop in market share.
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
What proportion of the vehicle fleet is electric?
If the vehicle fleet were represented by 100 vehicles, itβs 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 light vehicle market β
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.
