EV rush may temporarily slow

EV dealers are among those watching and waiting to see what happens under a new government.

“There’s been a rush on EVs because people want to get their EV before the rebate comes off on December 31,” says Dave Boot of Christchurch’s EV City, adding the rush may slow for a bit once those hastening their EV purchase complete their task.

But with petrol prices forecast to keep rising before Christmas – possibly to $3.50 a litre for 91 octane – Boot expects the surge in EV sales to continue later.

He believes sales and enquiries will be good for EV dealers throughout the country, even though National promised to repeal the Clean Car Discount (CCD). See AutoTalk for more.

Additional EV chargers are coming too, with a further 100 expected by Christmas, and National intending to invest $257 million over four years in providing 10,000 public EV chargers.

National leader Christopher Luxon also wants to fast-track permits for offshore wind farms to help provide renewable energy.

As Boot explains, Luxon isn’t against EVs, although the new government’s final look may depend on coalition partners and the results of special votes (to be counted by November 3) and the Port Waikato byelection (November 25).

Autolink Electric Vehicles managing director Henry Schmidt agrees, saying secondhand EV sales are slowing because many people no longer seem to have the money.

He’s also wonders if Israel’s war on Hamas in Palestine could broaden and put further pressure on fuel prices and the economy generally.

“When oil prices go up so do freight costs (shipping and trucking),” he adds.