Fuel price rises boost EV interest

EV dealerships expect a boost in interest when higher fuel prices kick in.

Some say it may even exceed anything a proposed ‘feebate’ EV discount scheme could do.

Fuel firms say pump prices could rise after a drone attack on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities at the weekend.

Crude oil prices rose 20% at the Asia-Pacific market opening on September 16, with any impact on New Zealand pump prices likely later this week.

A jump in EV sales is already being seen by Martin Harwood of Harwood Cars in Auckland.

He sold three on the morning of September 16, with five phone enquiries also received then.

A customer considering an EV purchase three weeks ago told Harwood he made up his mind to buy an EV because of the Saudi incident and fuel price rise scare.

Harwood says increasing EV demand could lead to some price rises from Japan. “They will probably increase auction prices if we start buying heavily.”

EVs in the cheaper ranges could be hard to get too.

“Speculation and scare tactics will motivate some (to consider EVs) but others will need to feel the pinch when they fill before making the move,” GVI Group managing director Hayden Johnston says.

“EV sales and enquiries remain strong and steady for us but if we see a rise on top of the already high petrol prices I would expect to see an increase in EV/hybrid interest,” he says.

“I believe a rise in fuel prices would do more for EV and fuel-efficient vehicle uptake than the government’s proposed ‘feebate’ scheme,” Johnston adds.

“So it might not be a bad thing – we need to clean up our in-fleet guzzlers and polluters.”

Johnston says he noticed three Tesla Model 3s on the road during the weekend on a return trip to Rotorua.

Four Model 3s also joined the Spring Leaf Rally in Auckland on September 15, driving from Silverdale to Greenlane as part of International Drive Electric Week.