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 vehicle rates) contributed to a decline in demand.
Latest Update
In March 2025, 757 fully electric light vehicles (BEVs) were registered. A further 533 plug-in hybrids were registered.
5.5% of new light vehicles were BEVs.
Among new passenger cars (hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs) – a total of 10.6% were plug-ins (PHEV or BEV).
The Tesla Model 3 was the most popular electric car.
How many fully electric vehicles are there in New Zealand?
As of the end of March 2025, there are around 83,000 fully electric light vehicles (plus around 37,000 plug-in hybrids).
BEVs in New Zealand
Percentage of light vehicle fleet
What proportion of new vehicles registered each month are fully electric?
There was a surge of BEV (battery electric vehicle) registrations in the final quarter of 2023 (due to the ending of an incentive scheme). Since then, market share has remained more consistent but has decreased.
Explore market share of new passenger cars (interactive) →
How many plug-in vehicles are there in New Zealand?
NZTA defines an EV as either fully electric (BEV) or plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Both vehicle types 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
Percentage of light vehicle fleet
What proportion of new vehicles sold monthly are plug-in hybrid or fully electric?
How is the light vehicle fleet made up?
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 →
Which manufacturer saw the highest BEV registrations this month?
| March 2025 | |
|---|---|
| TESLA | |
| KIA | |
| POLESTAR | |
| BYD | |
| BMW | |
| MINI | |
| MG | |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | |
| LDV | |
| TOYOTA | |
| AUDI | |
| FORD |
New BEVs registered in New Zealand - including passenger cars, vans, and utes (source NZTA).
BYD and Tesla most popular BEV make in 2025Q1
| 2025 YTD | YTD change | |
|---|---|---|
| BYD | +114% | |
| TESLA | -30% | |
| POLESTAR | +1069% | |
| KIA | +181% | |
| BMW | +28% | |
| MERCEDES-BENZ | +116% | |
| MG | -5% | |
| MINI | +3650% | |
| TOYOTA | +67% | |
| LDV | +168% | |
| AUDI | -48% | |
| FORD | -44% |
New BEVs registered in New Zealand including passenger cars, vans, and utes (source NZTA). Year-to-date (YTD) represents total registrations for the current calendar year. YTD change shows the percentage increase or decrease compared to the same period last year.
