New EVs and PHEVs outpace used

New light pure electrics and new light plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) surged ahead of their secondhand counterparts in February registrations.

Total EV and PHEV February registrations were up 514 (from 24,702 in January to 25,216) in newly released figures from the Ministry of Transport – a slight drop on the 602 increase recorded in January on December 2020 registrations.

But new light pure electrics continue the trend of gaining ground on their secondhand versions with a 189 rise (from 5613 in January to 5802 in February).

That may illustrate reports about 86 Tesla Model 3s were registered in February amid suggestions about 300 Teslas were arriving here last month. Social media posts add that a further 48 Tesla Model 3s were registered in the first week of March.

The posts say it appears two shiploads of Teslas had arrived in Auckland – either both from China or one of them from California – and included Model S and Model X among the latter and Model 3 Standard Range Plus (53kWh battery) and Model 3 Long Range (568km range) from China.

Tesla doesn’t reveal how many EVs are sold or landed.

Other new EVs like the MG ZS EV and Audi e-tron variants are also proving popular in New Zealand.

Used light pure electric registrations were up 178 on January (from 12,863 to 13,041), illustrating that secondhand EVs are still a favoured option.

New light plug-ins led the way in the PHEV categories, increasing by 79 on January (from 3720 to 3799) while used PHEVs were not far behind, up 60 (from 2290 in January to 2350).

Heavy EVs are beginning to make inroads with February registrations up eight on January (from 216 to 224) after barely moving in earlier months.

The latest EV total remains short of the 32,000 goal anticipated by the end of last year.

If the Labour Government backs up its talk with action on emissions and possible incentives New Zealand just might get to the previous National Government’s target of 64,000 EVs on our roads by the end of 2021 – but it’s doubtful and looking more like the end of 2022 at least.