Electric sleigh-ride slowing

This story first appeared in the December issue of EVtalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The electric vehicle surge is showing signs of a slow-down, according to the latest Ministry of Transport EV registration figures.

But is this just a temporary or seasonal blip?
Electric and hybrid light vehicle registrations reached 11,255 in November – only about a 400 increase on the previous month compared with around a 640 spurt between September and October.

Used light pure electrics were again the leader with 6463 in November – 275 up on October’s 6188.

New light pure electric vehicles reached 1949 in November – 46 up on the previous month.

Used light plug-in hybrids rose 22 to 870 for November, while new light plug-in hybrids increased by 55 to reach 1862.

Heavy EVs only went up by one – to 111.

At the present rate the EV total for 2018 is likely to fall short of a hoped for 12,000, but it will still be well over the initial end-of-year 8000 target.

The goal is to reach 16,000 EVs by the end of 2019 to be on track for 64,000 EVs on our roads by the end of 2021.

A drop in EV listings month-on-month is also seen by Trade Me Motors.

But it says the 3.8% decline compares with a 52.6% year-on-year increase.

However, a 41.4% fall in EV Watchlists month-on-month for November is also recorded by Trade Me Motors.
Again, that compares with a 57% year-on-year rise for 2018.

So what’s the reason for the November slow down?
Trade Me Motors suggests a recent drop in petrol prices may be among reasons for the brakes coming on EV purchases for the month.

Perhaps it’s because most people are just thinking about Christmas and not the next vehicle they’ll have – although another fuel rise would spark EV interest again.

Whether the EV trend continues in December remains to be seen, but following November’s fall it’s unlikely Santa’s stocking will be bulging with EVs in many households.