EV boom fuelled by petrol price rises

March is a boom time for EVs and that’s likely to continue.

It comes mainly because of fossil fuel price rises courtesy of Russia’s war on the Ukraine.

EV dealerships even report a few squabbles over EVs sought by customers, in one instance a person refusing to get out of an EV they claimed while another disputed the case, and others where people keep their mitts on an EV until a sales rep arrives. Some buyers don’t care about the colour either.

Demand is at an all-time high, many EVs now sold while on the boat coming here. And it’s not expected to lessen as the upcoming final Clean Car package due to apply from April 1 is set to ping high emission vehicles imported after that date.

EV dealerships and others in the EV industry say February and March have been huge and they expect a big year for EVs.

Rising fuel prices saw EV demand skyrocket last month, with a 79% increase in watchlists on EVs onsite when compared with February 2021, says Trade Me Motors sales analyst Jayme Fuller.

In February, the most popular EV models onsite were the Nissan Leaf, followed the Tesla Model S and Audi e-tron.

Last month the average price of an EV onsite was $39,231, a 9% increase when compared with February 2021.

Genuine Vehicle Group (including GVI Electric) director and general manager Hayden Johnston says February was “huge” for EV sales with March tracking along a similar path.

Dave Boot of EV City in Christchurch believes some people are “panic buying” EVs.

“We’ve even had people standing with their hand on an EV waiting for a sales representative to approach.”

Boot says EV sales are looking “unbelievable”, with EV City having a top month in February selling about 77 EVs and already selling around 40 by March 10.

Auckland City Electric Vehicles general manager Hadley Hargadon says EV demand is through the roof.

“It’s crazy.”

Henry Schmidt of Autolink Electric Vehicles in Auckland says trade has been very busy. But he warns that people expecting a good return on big fossil fuel engine vehicles they trade in may be disappointed.

“It’s hard to find homes for them,” says Schmidt of the larger motor internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, especially diesel.

Alistair Gilmour of Gilmour Automotive and EV Cars in Dunedin says EV sales and enquiries were huge during the latter part of February with the trend likely to continue.

Hamilton EV dealer principal Nicholas Down says sales have been “incredible”.

“We had an absolutely fantastic February, and March has continued with the same full steam ahead,” he adds.

April will be huge, says Down, adding that hopefully Hamilton EV will surpass its biggest weekend so far of 12 units in two days.

Volt Vehicles director David Lees says EV enquiries and sales have rocketed.

“It’s better than it has been for a long time,” says Lees, adding he’s concerned there may not be enough EVs to meet demand.

He’s already sold many of his EVs coming on the boat and says prices for quality secondhand EVs remain high in Japan.

The Labour Government’s move to reduce the pain in paying at the pump isn’t expected to lessen EV demand which is also likely to filter through to electric bike sales.

You can read more in the upcoming March EVs and Beyond magazine.