EV registrations rocket in March

EV registrations have reached 26,123 in March 2021 – up a massive 905 on February figures.

New light pure electrics lead the charge, going up by 427 from 5803 in February to 6230 in March, according to the latest EV registrations from the Ministry of Transport which reported a 514 overall rise in February on January statistics.

The recent big increase may reflect new EV models such as the Tesla Model 3 of which 270 sold in March the Motor Industry Association of New Zealand (MIA) reports, the MG ZS EV (59 sold), and the Hyundai Kona Electric (20) – due here in a new upgraded version shortly.

The MIA says 424 pure electrics sold in March, along with 150 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) led by the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV (57 March sales) and 855 hybrids.

Latest registrations show used light pure electrics went up 256 from 13,041 in February to 13,297 in March, while new light PHEVs rose 149 from 3800 to 3949.

Used light PHEVs went up 61 from 2350 to 2411, and heavy EVs increased by 12 from 224 to 236.

The figures reflect increasing EV sales this year, in spite of the lack of government incentives – although some are expected late this year, and transport minister Michael Wood is already considering extending the EV road user charge exemption.

It all looks to be shaping up a bumper EV year.