What Happened to EV Sales in New Zealand? September Update - CleanTechnica

New Zealand’s electric vehicle (EV) sales have sharply declined following a period of rapid growth between 2021 and 2023, driven largely by a government feebate scheme incentivizing low-emission vehicles. This policy change created an initial surge in EV adoption, resembling an S-curve pattern. However, in 2024, the cancellation of the feebate scheme and the introduction of a Road User Charge (RUC) on EVs led to a significant drop in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales, which have since remained stagnant. By the September 2025 quarter, BEVs accounted for only 5% of new vehicle sales, while hybrid vehicles have slowly gained market share. Several factors contribute to this stagnation, including challenging economic conditions with negative GDP growth and rising unemployment, which have dampened consumer confidence. Additionally, the removal of positive government signaling around EV adoption has left the market without clear direction. The cost advantage of EVs has also diminished, as running