NZ’s EV Market Highlights of 2025

Overall, all new vehicle sales were up by 10% in 2025, including fully electric vehicles (BEVs) - with an increase of 13%.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) saw strong growth (double the amount sold in 2025).

The most popular new vehicles in the country were utes and SUVs.

No fully electric cars made it into the top 20.

The most popular vehicle with a plug is the BYD Shark 6 plug-in hybrid ute.

Tesla Model Y most popular new EV

Model Y - Juniper facelift

Again, in 2025, the Model Y was the bestselling new EV.

After a rocky start to the year, the refreshed “Juniper” Model Y had a strong second half of the year. This also coincided with the release of Tesla’s Full Self Drive (supervised).

Globally, Tesla saw a decline of 8.6% in sales in 2025. BYD has now overtaken Tesla as the worlds biggest EV brand.

Nissan Leaf most popular EV of all

NZ imports a lot of used vehicles from Japan (around 45% of vehicles added to the fleet each year).

There were more used import Leafs registered than Tesla Model Y (by over 100 units). It's possible that many Leafs were imported this year due to dealers attempting to mitigate CCS (Clean Car Standard) fees.

Top 10 BEVs

Top 10 new EVs registered in 2025

• BYD successfully introduced the Sealion 7 (large SUV).
• Both the Polestar 2 and LDV eDeliver 3 van were heavily discounted.
• The Tesla Model 3 saw a year-on-year decline.

BYD, Tesla, and Kia the top brands

Which EVs were favoured by the people?

NZTA splits registrations into business (fleets or small companies) or individual ownership. Which cars had the highest proportion of individual buyers (with over 50 units)?

• Tesla Model Y and Model 3
• Omoda E5
• Mini Countryman
• BYD Sealion 7
• Honda e:N1

Plug-in hybrids catch up to full EVs

Plug-in Hybrid EVs (PHEV) doubled in market share - reaching 5.4% of the new vehicle market (BEVs were 5.6%).

The combined share of new vehicles with plug was 11% in 2025.

This was headlined by the successful launch of the BYD Shark 6 ute (the 13th most popular vehicle in 2025).

From left: BYD Shark 6, BYD Sealion 6, Mitsibishi Outlander, Haval H6

There are a large number of PHEV SUVs on the market enjoying some success: BYD Sealion 6, GWM Haval H6, MG HS, Jaecoo J7, and the popular Mitsubishi Outlander.

This represents a significant change in the EV market - up until now, PHEVs have had around half the market share of BEVs.

Some of it is explained by the Shark 6 - the PHEV ute is a new category of vehicle. However, the PHEV represents a desire for home-charged electric travel - but also a hesitancy around the idea of public DC charging.

One of the more interesting test cases is the Leapmotor C10 - available as a BEV or Plug-in Hybrid (an 'extended range EV' or EREV).

The EREV sold twice more units than the BEV (~180 vs 90) and is priced about 10% cheaper. Would be fascinating to see the preference if they were priced the same.

Multiple new brands launched

Despite the small numbers of EV sales, many new brands were launched in 2025:

• Geely (distributed by NordEast) with the EX5 BEV, Starray hybrid, and Riddara ute.
• Dongfeng (distributed by Armstrongs) with the new hatchback Box.
• Zeekr (NordEast) with the X and 7X and massive 009 people mover.
• Farizon (NordEast) - the fully electric SuperVan
• GAC - with the Aion V SUV.
• MG IM - IM is a sub-brand of SAIC motor with the luxury IM6.
• XPeng - Okay, not quite 2025, but just into 2026.

There were numerous new EVs launched from existing brands, including the Honda e:N1, Kia EV3, MG S5 to name a few.

One of the standout launches was the BYD Atto 1 - a small hatchback priced at under $30,000.

It's clear that the EV space is extremely competitive, with more choice than ever.

Believe it or not, there are 53 variants in the medium EV SUV category alone.

Charge Points

Unfortunately it appears that the EECA charging dashboard is well out of date. The platform is at end of life and is currently out for tender (for a replacement).

Charge points installed per year (2025 is incorrect)

Currently lists only 57 charge points added in 2025, however there are numerous chargers missing.

Hopefully we can update this when more info comes to hand.

What's next?

The EV market in New Zealand has seen five successive quarters with market share sitting at 5-6% (or 10-11% if including plug-in hybrids).

It seems reasonable to assume this will continue in the near term.

A further weakening of the Clean Vehicle Standard (from 1 January 2026) will have an impact. Importers of full EVs will have the value of their credits slashed, which may in turn impact pricing.

EVs are also impacted by the levying of Road User Charges (introduced in 2024). This has clearly shaped the market, and universal RUCs (where the charge is paid by petrol and hybrid vehicles) is still some years off.

Current policy settings are not conducive to EV uptake, implying it will stay flat.

However, some of the new smaller lower cost EVs coming to market (such as the BYD Atto 1 and 2) may generate interest.

Finally, some (cheeky) ideas for carmakers

Get creative with model names

We have EVs called: B10, C10, G6, E5, EX5, EX30, 007, 7X, X, BZ4X, IX, IM6. Great as a password, but hire a creative or two.

Get the balance of manual vs digital controls right

Drilling down three menus and two swipes to turn on the heated seating? Call me old school, but just give me a button.

Actually, while we're at it. Maybe some doorhandles that my 75 year-old mother can open without a 10-minute explainer.

Balance the beeps and bleeps

I don't want to tap buttons every car ride to stop the safety beeps.

Train your dealership salespeople

It's ok, Curtis with the tight pants.

It's all good that you love V8s, and have a Ferrari poster on your bedroom wall. But please learn the difference between LFP and NMC.

And no, I won't be needing free oil changes with my new EV.

Just give me some specs and prices

Your website is beautiful. Thank you. But don't forget some comprehensive specs and easy-to-find pricing.

Early warning of 12-volt battery failure

You have incredibly sophisticated management systems for the BIG BATTERY, but can't tell me that my 12-volt battery is getting tired.

Roll on 2026, may all your journeys be quiet, and your public charging endeavors be successful...