Electrics and PHEVs up despite COVID hit

EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose by 451 in August – from 21,568 in July to 22,019, latest Ministry of Transport registrations

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That’s not bad considering Auckland was hit with COVID-19 level 3 restrictions for most of the month (August 12-30), and is now at level 2.5 while the rest of the country is at level 2, the alert levels to be reviewed on September 14.

By comparison, July EV registrations were 470 up while the country as at alert level 1, and 356 up in June when New Zealand had just moved from level 2 to level 1 on June 8.

EV and other vehicle sales had dropped right off during lockdown level 4 restrictions from March 25 to April 27.

Back to the August EV figures and used light pure electrics led the charge again, going up 186 from 11,602 in July to 11,788 in August.

Next were new light pure electrics, up 129 from 4551 in July to 4680.

Used light PHEVs followed – up 76 from 1914 to 1990, while new light PHEVs went up 58 from 3314 to 3372.

Heavy EVs rose by just two, from 187 to 189.

If all New Zealand moves to level 1 later in September as expected – COVID cases permitting – then EV sales would be expected to pick up more during the current month.