BEVs edge higher as new car market jumps in September

Battery electric registrations ticked up while plug-in hybrids held steady as New Zealand’s new vehicle market climbed to 14,000 in September, up from 11,758 a year earlier, the Motor Industry Association says.

Across the total market, 747 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) made up 5.3% of September registrations, alongside 529 plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) at 3.8%, 4,368 non-plug-in hybrids at 31.2%, and internal-combustion models at 59.7%.

Within light passenger vehicles, BEVs recorded 608 registrations in September (down on 868 a year earlier).

Top BEV models (light passenger, September):

• Tesla Model Y — 190 (31.3%)
• BYD Sealion 7 — 42 (6.9%)
• Tesla Model 3 — 39 (6.4%)
• Kia EV3 — 33 (5.4%)
• BYD Atto 3 — 32 (5.3%).

MIA chief executive Aimee Wiley says the improvement is encouraging given tight economic conditions.

 “After a tough 18 months through 2024 and into the middle of this year, we have seen a sustained improvement in sales since June, so there are cautious hopes building among our members for better times ahead.”

Light commercials were 3,078 for the month and heavy vehicles 558, while the Toyota RAV4 was September’s top individual model with 1,281 registrations.