Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming a more common sight on New Zealand roads. But just how popular are they, and what’s driving this change? Let's dive into the current state of EVs in Aotearoa, and what the future holds.

The Surge in EV Ownership

In just a few years, the number of EVs on New Zealand roads has skyrocketed. As of the end of February 2025, there are over 81,000 fully electric light vehicles and around 36,500 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) registered. That’s an enormous shift from only a few years ago, driven by government incentives, expanding model options, and changing consumer attitudes.

Back in 2016, the Government launched its Electric Vehicles Programme, aiming for around 64,000 EVs on the roads by the end of 2021. They smashed that target thanks to things like:

  • Road user charge exemptions for light electric vehicles until March 2024.
  • ACC levy reductions that saved EV owners around NZD$68 annually from 2017 to 2019.
  • EV access to special vehicle lanes, making commuting in congested areas easier.
  • Guidance on public charging infrastructure, helping local and central government agencies support EV uptake.

But 2024 saw a dip in demand. The removal of rebates and the introduction of road taxes, which matched diesel rates, slowed things down. Yet, the market remains strong, with the foundations well and truly laid for future growth.

EV Market Share: More People Are Going Electric

EVs are now a solid part of New Zealand’s vehicle market. In February 2025, there were:

  • 702 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) registered.
  • 732 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) added to the roads.
  • 6.2% of all new light vehicles sold were fully electric.
  • 15% of new passenger cars (hatchbacks, sedans, SUVs) were plug-ins.

The peak in EV registrations happened in late 2023 as people rushed to snap up rebates before they were discontinued. Since then, growth has levelled off, but there’s no denying the EV wave is still rolling.

Who’s Leading the EV Charge?

While Tesla has long dominated the EV conversation, new players are catching up fast. In February 2025, Mercedes-Benz emerged as the star performer, with a 225% increase in year-to-date registrations. Other notable increases include:

  • BYD are up by 158%, proving affordability is a big draw.
  • Polestar, showing a 112% year-on-year increase, suggesting Kiwis appreciate their clean, Scandinavian design. 

Meanwhile, Tesla registrations dropped by 34%. It looks like New Zealanders are increasingly open to other brands, particularly those offering competitive prices and longer ranges.

We currently have all three available at Only Cars NZ: 

Check out our full selection of electric vehicles for sale for more. We also have a wide range of hybrid vehicles if that’s more your speed.

Where Are These EVs Most Popular?

EV adoption isn’t uniform across the country. Major urban areas are leading the way with Wellington sitting at the top with EV ownership at 3.38%, more than double the national average. Auckland is next, with around 2% of its light passenger vehicle fleet being electric.

These numbers are also influenced by government and corporate fleets, which may not fully reflect private ownership. However, it’s clear the cities are embracing electric motoring.

Public Charging: Still a Work in Progress

If there’s one thing holding some Kiwis back from going electric, it’s range anxiety. And that’s understandable, with two in five EV owners saying there aren’t enough public chargers on the routes they travel.

The good news? The infrastructure is expanding. By October 2024, there were over 1,200 public charging points nationwide, which works out to about one charger for every 60 EVs. Most of these chargers are fast chargers (25kW+), with more than 25% being rapid or ultra-rapid (75kW–475kW).

To keep pace with growing demand, the Government aims to boost the number of public chargers to 10,000 by 2030. This effort is part of the National Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy released in October 2023, which lays out a long-term vision for building a robust charging network to support the rising EV fleet.

Home Charging is Still King

Despite all the investment in public charging, 97% of EV owners still do most of their charging at home. Public chargers are mostly used for top-ups during longer trips, with three in four EV drivers using them for weekend or holiday trips. Only a small percentage use public chargers for daily commuting or local trips.

Kiwis planning longer drives are pretty organised about it, with research showing that 80% of EV drivers plan their route and charging options ahead of time. This careful approach shows how important reliable public charging will be moving forward.

The Future of EVs in New Zealand

The future is looking bright for EVs in Aotearoa. The Climate Change Commission projects that by 2030, there could be up to 550,000 light passenger and light commercial EVs on the roads. By 2035, 38% of the total light vehicle fleet is expected to be electric, with 100% of new cars being EVs.

And it’s not just the cars themselves evolving. Public charging infrastructure is set to expand dramatically, with larger hubs being built to support the growing fleet. These charging stations will also begin to incorporate solar power and battery storage to lessen their impact on the national grid.

Plus, we can expect better battery technology. Solid-state batteries are tipped to enter the market around 2027–2028, offering longer ranges (over 1,000km) and faster charging times (10 minutes from 10% to 80%).

Want to Join the EV Revolution? Start Your Search With Only Cars NZ

If you’re considering making the switch, now’s a great time to start looking. There are more models on the market than ever before, the charging network is expanding, and government initiatives are making sure the infrastructure keeps up.

If you're ready to go electric, start your journey with Only Cars NZ. With an extensive range of electric cars for sale, including new cars for sale and used cars for sale, we make it easy to buy a car online. Explore our selection of EV models and low emission vehicles today and embrace the future with Only Cars NZ.


For a great deal on financing your new purchase, contact Credit One on 0800 300 500 today or visit CreditOne.co.nz