The NZ EV Market continued to evolve in July, with EV registrations holding a meaningful share as policy signals and charging investment shape demand. Here’s your July snapshot of EV statistics, evolving market trends, and insights into why New Zealand is ripe for electric innovation.
The EV Market achieved solid momentum, representing 13% of all new light passenger vehicle registrations.
Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): 7.2% (down from 12.4% in June)
Plug-in Hybrids (PHEVs): 5.8% (down from 6.0% in June)
New Zealand’s total registered EV fleet now stands at 128,462 vehicles:
88,989 BEVs
39,473 PHEVs
EVs now represent 2.63% of the total vehicle fleet nationwide.
Top EV models in July 2025
Tesla Model Y
BYD Atto 3
Mini Countryman
BYD Sealion 7
Kia EV5
1) RUC shake-up: “wait and see” for demand
The Government has signalled a shift to electronic road user charges (e-RUC) for all light vehicles—phasing out petrol excise over time. EVs already pay RUC today; heavy EVs remain exempt until 30 June 2027. For households and fleets, the ultimate price signal will depend on detailed design (rates, compliance ease, incentives elsewhere). For now, it’s a watch-this-space that could cut administrative friction but may alter total cost of ownership. [Ministry of Transport RNZ nzta.govt.nz nzta.govt.nz]
2) Faster charging where it matters
Private and public investment continues to push rapid-charging coverage along key corridors and in regional centres, improving reliability for inter-city travel and freight depots—aligning with global patterns of ultra-fast rollout. [IEA]
3) Fleet electrification stays pragmatic
Corporate and council fleets remain the near-term engine of the NZ EV Market, balancing TCO, emissions reporting, and operational resilience. With RUC changes pending, many buyers are timing orders to policy clarity—but depot charging economics remain compelling.
4) Second-hand EVs broaden access
A growing used stock (as early adopters upgrade) continues to improve affordability, pulling more buyers into the market, especially when paired with home or workplace charging.
Scale keeps compounding. Under stated policies, the global EV fleet (excl. 2/3-wheelers) quadruples by 2030, with car sales shares for light-duty vehicles approaching ~40% by decade’s end. [IEA]
Charging is doubling fast. Public chargers have doubled since 2022 to >5 million, with strong growth in fast/ultra-fast capacity—key for long-distance travel and logistics. [IEA]
Trade policy is a wild card. New tariffs and industrial policy moves could nudge battery and vehicle prices, potentially offsetting ~20% battery price declines observed over the past year. Implication for NZ: watch delivered pricing and model availability. [IEA]
Manufacturing gravity. In 2024, global electric car production reached 17.3 million, with China producing ~12.4 million - a sign of deep cost/scale advantages that shape NZ’s model mix and pricing. [IEA]
Trucks are coming. The IEA’s 2025 analysis shows battery-electric trucks can compete on total cost of ownership with diesel by ~2030 in major markets - relevant for NZ freight operators planning depot charging. [IEA]
Model choice & price points are broadening across segments, especially as global supply scales. [IEA]
Charging access is improving rapidly, with ultra-fast options expanding for inter-city and fleet use. [IEA]
Lower running costs (fuel + servicing) remain a structural advantage; future e-RUC design will clarify the long-term cost picture. [Ministry of Transport RNZ]
ESG & CRD alignment: Fleet electrification supports emissions reporting and reduction targets for NZ’s climate-conscious organisations.
Xube Energy delivers end-to-end EV charging solutions - hardware, installation, and maintenance - tailored to New Zealand homes, businesses, and fleet depots. If you’re evaluating timing against policy changes (like RUC), we can map TCO scenarios and a right-sized charging plan for your site.
📩 Contact Xube Energy to plan your charger rollout and accelerate your electric journey.