New Zealand EV Market Flat In August 2023

Though the New Zealand automotive market rebounded in August with 18,000 mild autos registered (examine that with Norway’s market of 11,000 and Australia’s 120,000), gross sales of battery electrical autos (BEVs) stay flat. If we embody all types of electrification, two in three autos had some type of electrical propulsion. A staggering 35% of the market was HEV (typical plugless hybrids), adopted by 32% petrol, 12% BEV, 11% PHEV, and eight% diesel. (Full particulars on EVdb.)

There was an enormous enhance within the gross sales of HEVs in New Zealand over the previous 3 years, coming from about 8% of the market to 35% in 2023. As you’ll anticipate, most of those are Toyotas. New Zealanders are on the lookout for fuel-efficient choices. Even with authorities help, although, it seems that BEVs are nonetheless a bit too costly for the typical NZ motorist. NZ imports used vehicles from Japan, which incorporates a number of Toyota HEVs and some Nissan LEAFs.

Prime Promoting Automobiles in New Zealand

The ten prime promoting BEVs in New Zealand in August 2023 have been:

1. BYD Atto 3 (131)
2. MG4 (96)
3. Tesla Mannequin Y (72)
4. MG ZS EV (72)
5. Ford Mustang Mach-E (53)
6. Kia Niro (51)
7. Volkswagen ID.4 (46)
8. Kia EV6 (34)
9. Tesla Mannequin 3 (32)
10. Hyundai Kona EV (22)

New EV house owners take supply of an MG4. Photograph courtesy of John Baldwin.

The MG4 has simply been launched to the New Zealand market and has landed like a lightning bolt, going straight to the rostrum. Combining the numbers for the MG ZS EV with the MG4 makes SAIC the #1 EV producer in New Zealand. Tesla is anticipated to markedly enhance its gross sales with refreshed “Highland” Mannequin 3 imports arriving from China which might be purported to be delivered in September. It seems that BYD is but to ship the Dolphin in NZ, whereas Nice Wall Motor bought 7 items of its ORA inexpensive automotive. I anticipate that the ORA and the Dolphin will see important gross sales numbers in coming months. BYD plans to ship the Dolphin this month.

Different manufacturers with small numbers embody: Mercedes bought a complete of 34 EQA, EQB, and EQE mixed; Peugeot bought 23 of its 208 and 2008 EVs; Polestar bought 20 items of the Polestar 2; Volvo bought 13 XC40s; Nissan bought 13 LEAFs; Audi bought 13 EVs; 12 electrical MINIs have been bought; Opel bought 8 Mokka EVs and 4 Corsa EVs; Fiat bought 4 items of its 500e and one Abarth. So, New Zealanders have a number of selection.

The highest 5 best-selling plug-in hybrid electrical autos in New Zealand in August have been:

1. Mitsubishi Outlander (261)
2. Mitsubishi Cross (144)
3. Kia Sorrento (131)
4. Ford Escape (49)
5. Mazda CX 60 (35)

These have been adopted by small numbers from a smattering of manufacturers: BMW, MG, Land Rover, Jeep, Volvo, and others.

As a comparability, the highest 5 HEV producers have been: Toyota (1,616), Ford (185), Honda (126), Hyundai (122), Lexus (76).

The highest 5 petrol automotive manufacturers have been: Kia (243), Suzuki (331), Mitsubishi (234), Mazda (195), Nissan (187). Is it Japan (HEV) vs China (BEV)?

What of the Future?

New Zealanders go to the polls to elect a brand new nationwide authorities on October 14. In accordance with latest polls, a right-leaning coalition is on monitor to win. It has beforehand pledged to dump New Zealand’s clear automotive low cost, which has been massively profitable in driving the EV surge out there. With no extra motivation for automotive producers to cost their autos under the federal government threshold, some costs are anticipated to rise. Nevertheless, market watchers have identified that with the inflow of extra inexpensive autos (notably the GWM ORA, the MG4, and the BYD Dolphin), this may not be a problem.

The New Zealand Nationwide Get together is making noise about increasing the charging community, however is sending combined messages about how it will work. Many New Zealanders have commented on Fb that it’s exhausting to imagine that the Nationals are dedicated to the proposal and whether or not they know what they’re doing. The just lately launched electrification coverage from the Nationals makes no point out of electrical autos in any respect.

“Round 20 per cent of New Zealand’s complete emissions come from transport, so embracing EVs is essential to delivering our local weather change commitments,” Nationwide Get together Chief Christopher Luxon mentioned. “Accelerating the rollout of EV infrastructure, from the 1,200 at present obtainable to 10,000 in 2030, will give extra Kiwis the arrogance to make the change to electrical.” Luxon introduced in the present day that the Nationals would make investments $257 million over 4 years. That is double Labour’s dedication. As an apart, Luxon’s spouse drives a Tesla.

Volkswagen New Zealand nationwide gross sales supervisor Jordan Haines believes that if the Nationwide Get together wins the overall election and makes good on its election promise to dump the Clear Automobile Low cost rebate programme for electrical autos, costs on a number of the hottest electrical autos within the nation are more likely to go up. He shared his ideas on the launch of the ID.4 just lately. The ID.4 would have certified for the rebate.

The Clear Automobile Low cost scheme at present grants anybody shopping for an electrical car priced at $80,000 or underneath a $7,015 rebate. This has led to an enormous variety of electrical autos being priced at $79,990 ($47,390 USD).

The Nationals have been notably vital of NZ’s so known as “ute tax” when farmers and tradies wouldn’t have an electrical various. “The ute tax on high-emitting autos like utes and SUVs is used to fund the rebates for individuals shopping for low- or zero-emissions autos. The result’s {that a} farmer shopping for a brand new ute is hit with tax of $5,175 and winds up subsidising a lawyer shopping for a Tesla and getting the utmost rebate of $8,625.”

Obstacles to EV uptake in New Zealand nonetheless embody an absence of acceptable fashions, excessive costs, and shortage of high-speed chargers. A change of presidency might enhance the variety of chargers, however it will likely be producers who can affect the selection of autos and pricing. With many electrical autos being imported as used from Japan, it may be tough to evaluate battery well being and subsequently viability. Purchasers of used BEVs might want to educate themselves to verify they’re getting what they’re paying for.

It’s potential that there can be a surge in EV gross sales as a date is introduced for the withdrawal of presidency subsidies — as has occurred within the UK and EU. Nonetheless, 2023 is monitoring to be much like 2022 in absolute numbers — 20,000 BEVs and 10,000 PHEVs are anticipated to be added to NZ roads by yr’s finish. As for 2024, because the mud settles after the election, individuals will have the ability to see clearly that new entry-level inexpensive EVs with higher vary have arrived. This could drive development within the new yr. Nonetheless ready for the utes, although.