Model 3 sets new high for NZ EV registrations

The Tesla Model 3 has become the first electric vehicle to enter the top ten sales charts in New Zealand, with an impressive result in its first month on sale.

Long wait times for customers and pent-up demand saw 359 units registered for the month of September, making it the third most popular passenger vehicle, and the sixth most popular vehicle overall.

Only the Toyota Corolla on 1011 vehicles and the Toyota Yaris on 432 sold in higher volumes, though with rental quantities of 736 units and 306 units respectively, the Model 3 was, arguably, the most popular choice of new vehicle buy consumers and businesses.

The result also made Tesla the 12th most popular passenger vehicle brand overall.

Questions remain over how Model 3 sales will track in New Zealand over time, with the volume likely to tail off as the initial demand is satisfied.

Tesla has a policy of not commenting on sales locally.

Motor Industry Association chief executive David Crawford noted the result was momentous.

“It shows a shift in consumer behaviour, and a willingness to purchase electric vehicles,” Crawford says.

“With the availability of electric vehicles, the fleet will become more fuel-efficient and less CO2 heavy.”

Passenger car registrations were up 9.4% for the month to 10,332 units from 9431 a year ago, arresting a downward slide seen for most of this year – though it should be noted September last year was impacted by ships held up with stink bug contamination.

Commercial registrations were down 6.1% to 4203 from 4477.