EV deliveries surge as rebate kicks in

The first day of the Clean Car Discount rebate for EVs has many EV dealers run off their feet, especially in Auckland and Christchurch.

GVI Electric in Auckland expects to deliver about 60 EVs this week across new parallel imports and secondhand cars and has presold about another 20 which are “on the water”.

“We’re flat out with the rebate kicking in but once we sell everything replacements may be difficult,” GVI managing director Hayden Johnston says.

“The next couple of months will be telling,” says Johnston who expects demand and sales will continue to be high through July and August.

He understands higher than normal delivery rates are expected in Auckland and Christchurch particularly, but that demand in many regional areas is not as high – at least yet.

“Most regions don’t seem to have the same urgency.”

The Volkswagen electric range (ID.3 and ID.4) are especially sought after, along with other brands like MG, Peugeot, the new Kia Soul EV and even the Vauxhall Corsa in demand, Johnston says.

He says prices have increased by the same amount as the rebate or even more, especially at auctions in Japan with new EV dealers also jumping on board and helping to drive up bidding, particularly for good Nissan Leafs.

A new EV release is needed in Japan (possibly with the Nissan Ariya due) to encourage more secondhand EVs to be placed on the market there, Johnston believes.

Secondhand EVs like the Nissan Leaf – especially those in the $15,000 to $20,000 bracket – are in high demand because they represent better value for money under the rebate scheme, Johnston says.

Dave Boot of EV City in Christchurch says they’re “run off our feet” handling delivers (21 on July 1 alone) and enquiries – many from people who wrongly assumed they had to wait until July 1 to place an EV order.

Boot reckons EV City will be busy making deliveries until 9pm on many nights with more that 90 EVs also pre-ordered, and he wonders if demand will ease after the next few months.

He expects his “pre-announcement” stock to be gone within the next five days, while replacement stock is likely to see a price jump as prices have already risen in Japan in response to the rebate and growing demand.

A supply issue may develop later, although Boot believes demand will wane after the next few months.

He agrees many regions won’t see a huge increase in EV demand and sales. “The rebate won’t drive masses to EVs – if people don’t want an EV they won’t get one,” says Boot, adding that more EV education is needed.

EV City is selling mainly Nissan Leafs but Boot says plug-in hybrids like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV remain popular too, and that EVs are selling well across the range – including more expensive models.