Electric Vehicle Adoption in New Zealand: The Real Numbers
Electric vehicles went from a curiosity to a genuine presence on New Zealand roads in the space of a few years. In 2018, just 3,721 battery electric vehicles were registered. By 2023, that number had surged to 26,331 — a more than sevenfold increase.
But the growth trajectory is not a simple hockey stick. Registrations peaked in 2023 and then dropped sharply — falling 73% in 2024 to just 7,241. The Clean Car Discount scheme, which had offered rebates of up to $7,015 for new EVs, ended on 31 December 2023.
Here is what the NZTA data actually shows about EV adoption in New Zealand — the growth, the peak, the pullback, and which models Kiwis are actually driving.
The Growth Story
EV registrations in New Zealand grew steadily from 3,721 in 2018 to 4,497 in 2019, before dipping to 3,299 in 2020 — likely affected by COVID-19 disruptions. From there, the trajectory shifted dramatically: 6,897 in 2021, then 16,545 in 2022 (a 140% year-on-year increase), and 26,331 in 2023.
The 2022–2023 spike coincided with the Clean Car Discount scheme being in full effect, broader model availability, and growing public awareness. Whether the incentives were the primary driver or simply one factor among many, the correlation is notable.
Peak and Pullback
The year 2023 was the high-water mark: 26,331 battery electric vehicles were registered in New Zealand. In 2024, that number fell to 7,241 — a 73% decline.
The most obvious factor in the timing of this drop is the end of the Clean Car Discount scheme on 31 December 2023. The scheme had provided purchase rebates for low-emission vehicles and imposed fees on high-emission ones. Its removal coincides directly with the drop in EV registrations.
In 2025, registrations edged up slightly to 7,816, suggesting some stabilisation — though still well below the 2022–2023 peak. It is worth noting that 2024 and 2025 figures may be based on partial-year data depending on the NZTA reporting period.
We are reporting what the data shows, not making policy claims. Multiple factors — including global supply chains, interest rates, used import availability, and consumer sentiment — may have contributed to the decline.
Plug-in Hybrids: A Similar Pattern
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) followed a strikingly similar trajectory. Registrations rose from 397 in 2020 to 8,285 in 2023, then dropped to 1,092 in 2024 — an 87% decline. PHEVs recovered somewhat in 2025 to 2,710.
The parallel between BEV and PHEV trends suggests that the factors driving adoption (and the subsequent pullback) were not specific to fully electric vehicles — they affected the broader low-emission vehicle market.
Most Popular EVs in New Zealand
Based on total registrations in the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, these are the most common battery electric vehicles on New Zealand roads.
| # | Model | Registrations | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nissan LEAF | 24,918 | 2007–2025 |
| 2 | Tesla MODEL Y | 10,743 | 2022–2026 |
| 3 | Tesla MODEL 3 | 9,153 | 2019–2026 |
| 4 | Byd ATTO 3 | 5,915 | 2022–2026 |
| 5 | Hyundai IONIQ | 3,764 | 2016–2024 |
Ranked by total registrations in the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register. Includes both NZ-new and used imports.
What the Numbers Don't Tell You
This data counts registrations — the point at which a vehicle enters the NZ fleet. That includes both brand-new vehicles purchased from a dealer and used imports (often from Japan or the UK). It does not distinguish between the two.
The numbers also do not capture the factors that influence individual purchase decisions: range anxiety, the state of New Zealand's charging infrastructure, electricity costs, battery degradation concerns, or resale value uncertainty. These are real considerations for Kiwi buyers that fleet registration data simply cannot reflect.
Similarly, this data does not tell us about vehicles that have been deregistered or scrapped. A car registered in 2019 may no longer be on the road. The registration count is a measure of vehicles entering the fleet, not the current fleet size.
For a full breakdown of every electric vehicle currently registered in New Zealand — including specs, model years, and regional distribution — see our complete NZ electric vehicle fleet data.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many electric vehicles are registered in New Zealand?
Between 2018 and 2025, 76,347 battery electric vehicles were registered in New Zealand according to NZTA data. The peak year was 2023 with 26,331 registrations. Note that this counts registrations (when a vehicle enters the NZ fleet), which includes both new purchases and used imports.
Why did EV registrations drop in 2024?
EV registrations fell from 26,331 in 2023 to 7,241 in 2024 — a 73% decline. The most significant change in the market was the end of the Clean Car Discount scheme on 31 December 2023, which had provided purchase rebates of up to $7,015 for new EVs. We report the correlation in the data; multiple factors may have contributed to the decline.
What is the most popular electric car in New Zealand?
Based on NZTA registration data, the Nissan LEAF is the most registered EV in New Zealand with 24,918 registrations. The Tesla MODEL Y and Tesla MODEL 3 are the next most common.
Are plug-in hybrids popular in New Zealand?
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations followed a similar pattern to pure EVs: rising sharply from 397 in 2020 to 8,285 in 2023, then dropping to 1,092 in 2024. They recovered somewhat to 2,710 in 2025. PHEVs remain a smaller segment than battery EVs in the NZ fleet.
Registration data sourced from the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) Motor Vehicle Register. EV and PHEV registration counts are from the registrationsByYear → byFuelType breakdowns. Model popularity is based on the NZTA model aggregates dataset. Clean Car Discount scheme dates from the New Zealand Government. All figures reflect registrations (fleet entries), not sales or current fleet size.