Plug-in electric vehicles in New Zealand

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The Nissan Leaf is the most common electric vehicle on New Zealand roads 2017 Nissan LEAF (ZE0 MY17) hatchback (2018-11-02) 01.jpg
The Nissan Leaf is the most common electric vehicle on New Zealand roads
The most popular manufacturers of new electric vehicles in 2023 were Tesla, BYD and MG Tesla Model 3 Monaco IMG 1212.jpg
The most popular manufacturers of new electric vehicles in 2023 were Tesla, BYD and MG

The initial adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in New Zealand was supported by New Zealand Government policies, including monetary incentives such as electric vehicle discounts, exemptions from road user charges, and electric vehicle sales targets. [2] [3] [4] [5] By 2023 year-end, there were 106,942 registered plug-in electric vehicles in New Zealand, consisting of 76,550 battery-electric vehicles (BEV) and 30,392 plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEV), together making up 2.2% of the national fleet of 4.8 million vehicles. [6] In 2023, 27.2 percent of all new car registrations were plug-in electric vehicles. [7]

Contents

Government incentives

The National-led government launched an Electric Vehicle Programme in May 2016 to encourage EV uptake. [8] Electric vehicles in New Zealand were exempt from road user charges (RUC) from 2009 until 1 April 2024; RUC now apply at NZD $76 per 1000 km unit for BEVs, and $38 per 1000 km for PHEVs. [9] [10] EV owners were initially able to access bus lanes and preferential parking, [4] but this was dropped after local authority bus operators and the general public raised concerns about public transport disruption. There are subsidies available for the installation of public EV chargers. [11] New Zealand also proposed a "cash for clunkers" scheme, incentivising low-income drivers to trade their petrol or diesel cars for a discounted electric vehicle, but this scheme was abandoned in March 2023. [12] [13]

In July 2019, the government proposed a Clean Car Discount of up to NZD $8,000 on purchases of new zero-emissions vehicles, and a charge of up to $3,000 for new vehicles that emit more than 250g of carbon dioxide per kilometre. [4] The Clean Car Discount was in effect from July 2021 to December 2023, with a used EV being subsidised up to $3,450 and a used PHEV up to $2,300. [11] This scheme was ended by the newly elected government on 31 December 2023. [14]

In 2022 the Government enacted a Clean Car Standard that would phase-in a stepped reduction in the average emissions of most new and used imported passenger vehicles to 145 grams per kilometre travelled in 2023, dropping to 63.3g/km in 2027, with financial penalties if the targets are not met. [15] These targets would ensure New Zealand cleans the entire car fleet by 2027 and both achieves and surpasses the European Union's fuel efficiency targets. [15] As well as setting CO2 targets, the Clean Vehicles Act passed in February 2022 also imposed charges on the purchase of high CO2 emission cars, which will accelerate electric vehicle adoption. [16]

In 2021 the government set a target for 50% of all light vehicle registrations by 2029 to be electric vehicles, and 100% by 2035. [17] The New Zealand Government will ban the sale and importation of petrol and diesel vehicles between 2035 and 2040. [18] [19] [17] This is despite the Climate Change Commission recommending banning petrol and diesel cars by 2032. [17] Higher parking fees, congestion charges and road pricing were also considered to increase EV adoption. [19]

Charging infrastructure

Charging station in Westport Westport Electric Vehicle Charging Point.jpg
Charging station in Westport
Queue at an EV charger in Murchison Murchison EV charger 3920.jpg
Queue at an EV charger in Murchison

As of June 2023, there are over 315 electric vehicle DC chargers across New Zealand at over 275 locations. [20] Type 2 CCS and CHAdeMO are the standard connections for DC chargers in New Zealand; the former is mainly used by New Zealand-new vehicles while the latter is mainly used by used Japanese imports. As of December 2023, around 67% of registered battery electric vehicles use the Type 2 CCS standard, while 33% use the CHAdeMO standard. [21] [22]

In April 2017, Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency set a vision of at least one rapid DC charger every 75 km (47 mi) across the state highway network. As of June 2023, this is largely complete with some gaps in low-traffic and hard-to-reticulate areas: State Highway 43, State Highway 63, State Highway 7 over Lewis Pass, State Highway 6 over Haast Pass, and State Highway 94 to Milford Sound. [23]

Sales

By the end of 2023, New Zealand electric vehicle registrations reached 27.2% of new car sales. [7] This was an increase from electric vehicles representing 6.45% of new car sales at the beginning of the clean car subsidy programme in July 2021. [2]

While sales of new electric vehicles have increased, the New Zealand EV fleet is dominated by second-hand Nissan Leafs imported from Japan. In December 2023 there were 23,067 registered Leafs, accounting for about 30 percent of all BEVs on New Zealand roads. [24] About 95 percent of these were imported second-hand from Japan, a similarly left-hand traffic country, and a major source for New Zealand's second-hand car market. Japan's comparatively slow adoption of EVs, the Leaf being the only notable contribution before 2020, has strongly shaped adoption of EVs in New Zealand. [25] Cheap second-hand Leaf imports from Japan proved so popular that Nissan didn't offer the Leaf as a new vehicle in New Zealand between 2016 and 2019, citing price pressure from importers and second-hand dealers. [26]

In 2020 there were more EVs in New Zealand than in Australia, despite Australia having five times the population. [5] By July 2023, Australia had overtaken New Zealand with a total fleet of about 130,000 EVs. [27] 26,000 EVs were registered in New Zealand in 2020, and the government planned to have an additional 60,000 electric vehicles on New Zealand roads by 2023. [5] However, in 2019, New Zealand planned to have 64,000 electric vehicles in the country by 2021 when it was projected New Zealand would reach 100% electric vehicle sales by 2030. [3] In 2021, New Zealand planned to lead Asia by targeting 30,000 EVs to be sold in 2025, and to have the highest EV market share of new car sales by 2029. [4] A target was also set for the light vehicle fleet to be 30% electric by 2035. [12]

Statistics

Light EV fleet size in New Zealand [6]
Type20132014201520162017201820192020202120222023
New PHEVs112244517791,1991,9392,8803,6406,11413,39322,313
New BEVs1001392065811,2632,0043,8615,41212,17728,09952,283
Used PHEVs02151164568971,5442,2223,2925,2198,074
Used BEVs541253211,0133,2276,79910,24112,60815,29818,97623,586
Total EVs1654909932,4896,14511,63918,52623,88236,88165,687106,247

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric vehicle</span> Vehicle propelled by one or more electric motors

An electric vehicle (EV) is a vehicle that uses one or more electric motors for propulsion. The vehicle can be powered by a collector system, with electricity from extravehicular sources, or can be powered autonomously by a battery or by converting fuel to electricity using a generator or fuel cells. EVs include road and rail vehicles, electric boats and underwater vessels, electric aircraft and electric spacecraft.

Te Manatū WakaMinistry of Transport is the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the New Zealand Government on transport policy. The Ministry works closely with other government transport partners, including the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to advance their strategic objectives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric car</span> Car propelled by an electric motor using energy stored in batteries

An electric car or electric vehicle (EV) is a passenger automobile that is propelled by an electric traction motor, using only energy stored in on-board batteries. Compared to conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, electric cars are quieter, more responsive, have superior energy conversion efficiency and no exhaust emissions and lower overall vehicle emissions. The term "electric car" normally refers to plug-in electric vehicle, typically a battery electric vehicle (BEV), but broadly may also include plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nissan Leaf</span> Compact five-door hatchback electric car

The Nissan Leaf, stylized as "LEAF," is a battery-electric powered compact car manufactured by Nissan, produced since 2010 across two generations. It has been offered exclusively as a 5-door hatchback. The term "LEAF" serves as a backronym to leading environmentally-friendly affordable family car.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicle</span> Type of vehicle

A plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) is any road vehicle that can utilize an external source of electricity to store electrical energy within its onboard rechargeable battery packs, to power an electric motor and help propelling the wheels. PEV is a subset of electric vehicles, and includes all-electric/battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Sales of the first series production plug-in electric vehicles began in December 2008 with the introduction of the plug-in hybrid BYD F3DM, and then with the all-electric Mitsubishi i-MiEV in July 2009, but global retail sales only gained traction after the introduction of the mass production all-electric Nissan Leaf and the plug-in hybrid Chevrolet Volt in December 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in the United States</span> Overview of plug-in electric vehicles in the US

The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in the United States is supported by the American federal government, and several states and local governments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electric car use by country</span>

Electric car use by country varies worldwide, as the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles is affected by consumer demand, market prices, availability of charging infrastructure, and government policies, such as purchase incentives and long term regulatory signals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles</span>

Government incentives for plug-in electric vehicles have been established around the world to support policy-driven adoption of plug-in electric vehicles. These incentives mainly take the form of purchase rebates, tax exemptions and tax credits, and additional perks that range from access to bus lanes to waivers on fees. The amount of the financial incentives may depend on vehicle battery size or all-electric range. Often hybrid electric vehicles are included. Some countries extend the benefits to fuel cell vehicles, and electric vehicle conversions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in Norway</span>

The Norwegian fleet of plug-in electric vehicles is the largest per capita in the world. In December 2016, Norway became the first country where five in every 100 passenger cars on the road were plug-in; attained 10% in October 2018, and reached 25% in September 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in Japan</span> Overview of plug-in electric vehicles in Japan

The fleet of light-duty plug-in electric vehicles in Japan totaled just over 300,000 highway legal plug-in electric vehicles in circulation at the end of 2020, consisting of 156,381 all-electric passenger cars, 136,700 plug-in hybrids, and 9,904 light-commercial vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in the United Kingdom</span> Overview of plug-in electric vehicles in the United Kingdom

The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in the United Kingdom is actively supported by the British government through the plug-in car and van grants schemes and other incentives. About 745,000 light-duty plug-in electric vehicles had been registered in the UK up until December 2021, consisting of 395,000 all-electric vehicles and 350,000 plug-in hybrids. Until 2019, the UK had the second largest European stock of light-duty plug-in vehicles in use after Norway.

The electric vehicle industry in India is slowly growing. The central and state governments have implemented schemes and incentives to promote electric mobility, and have introduced regulations and standards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in Hong Kong</span> Overview of electric vehicles in Hong Kong

The adoption of electric vehicles in Hong Kong is actively supported by the Hong Kong government, which recognizes battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrids, and conventional hybrid electric vehicles to be environmentally friendly and eligible for financial incentives. As of 31 October 2017, there were 11,039 electric vehicles in Hong Kong, up from less than 100 in 2010. At present, 73 EV models from eight countries have been approved by the Transport Department to be eligible for the incentives. These include 51 models for private cars and motorcycles and 22 models for public transport and commercial vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in Australia</span> Overview of plug-in electric vehicles in Australia

The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Australia is driven mostly by state-based electric vehicle targets and monetary incentives to support the adoption and deployment of low- or zero-emission vehicles. The monetary incentives include electric vehicle subsidies, interest-free loans, registration exemptions, stamp duty exemptions, the luxury car tax exemption and discounted parking for both private and commercial purchases. The Clean Energy Finance Corporation, energy providers, car loan providers and car insurance providers also offer their own financial incentives for electric vehicle purchases including Macquarie Bank offering the lowest electric car loan of 2.99%.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Electrify America</span> Electric vehicle charging network in U.S.

Electrify America, LLC is electric vehicle DC fast-charging network in the United States, with more than 850 stations and over 3,700 connectors as of December 2023. It is a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group of America, established in late 2016 by the automaker as part of its efforts to offset emissions in the wake of the Volkswagen emissions scandal. Volkswagen, as part of its settlement following the "Dieselgate" emissions scandal, invested $2 billion in creating Electrify America. In June 2022, Siemens became a minority shareholder of the company. Electrify America supports the CCS and CHAdeMO connector types with plans to add NACS connectors starting in 2025. Electrify America has been the target of significant criticism for the perceived lack of reliability and maintenance of its stations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Ioniq 5</span> Korean battery electric compact crossover SUV

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota bZ4X</span> Battery electric compact crossover SUV

The Toyota bZ4X, also marketed in Japan, Australia, US, Canada, Europe, and China as the Subaru Solterra, is a battery electric compact crossover SUV manufactured by Toyota. The vehicle debuted in April 2021 as the "bZ4X Concept". It is the first vehicle to be based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed by Toyota and Subaru, and the brand's first model to be part of their Toyota bZ series of zero-emissions vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">IrishEVs</span> Irish website on electric vehicles

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Electric vehicle policies in Australia include incentives such as electric vehicle subsidies, interest-free loans, registration exemptions, stamp duty exemptions, the luxury car tax exemption and discounted parking for both private and commercial purchases. The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Australia is driven mostly by state-based electric vehicle targets and monetary incentives to support the adoption and deployment of low- or zero-emission vehicles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Plug-in electric vehicles in Iceland</span>

The adoption of plug-in electric vehicles in Iceland is the second highest in the world after Norway, and fully supported by the government. As of 2022, the market share of electric vehicles in Iceland is around 60%, the second-highest in the world behind Norway. Around 14% of the country's passenger car fleet is electrified as of 2022.

References

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