Dealers ordered to pay back CCD rebates on nearly 200 EVs

Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) reckons that nearly 200 cases involve car dealers pocketing EV subsidies of up to $7000 an EV under the Clean Car Discount (CCD) then breaking the law by selling them on too quickly.

The dealers signed declarations saying they would keep the cars as demonstration, courtesy or company vehicles for at least three months, but did not comply, says RNZ.

The NZTA has asked the car yards involved – which are not identified – to pay back the rebates claimed.

RNZ says almost a fifth of government subsidies claimed for electric EVs during December – the CCD’s last month – went to car yards, rather than individual buyers.

More than 192,000 rebates were paid during the CCD’s life – 21,000 of them to dealers, says RNZ which had obtained internal advice between the NZTA and Ministry of Transport through the Official Information Act.