Kona Electric puts stamp on new EV market

This story first appeared in the April issue of AutoTalk – CLICK HERE to download the magazine FREE

The Hyundai Kona Electric’s 27 sales in March 2019 made up 34.2% of the month’s total 79 new EV sales.

That puts it top of the year-to-date (YTD) total for 2019 with 89 out of the 228 total YTD for EVs, according to Motor Industry Association (MIA) and NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) sales figures.

Tesla’s Model X is next with 14 sales for March and 31 YTD, followed by Volkswagen’s e-Golf (29 in March) and the Hyundai Ioniq (nine).

They’re followed in order by the Tesla Model S, Kia Niro Electric, BMW i3, and LDV EV80 van.

In the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) category, the Mitsubishi Outlander again leads the way with 40 sales in March – 57.1% of the total 70 for the PHEV category and 123 of the 240 YTD.

Next up is the Toyota Prius Prime (12 and 29 respectively), followed by the Mini Countryman (seven and 16).

Interestingly, petrol hybrids make up 2.35% of all fuel types, with PHEVs at 0.60% and pure electrics 0.59% – the category led by petrol (53.77%) and then diesel (42.68%).

The Nissan Leaf still leads the charge in the used vehicle sales category -262 sold in March or 96.6% of the total 271 electrics.

The BMW i3, Jaguar I-Pace and Smart Fortwo level pegged on two each for the month.

Mitsubishi’s Outlander also led the PHEV used vehicle category with 29 sales or 64.4% of the total 45.

It was followed in that sector by the BMW i3 (seven) and Toyota Prius (five).