EV owners unlikely to switch back to petrol, survey finds

Nearly all electric vehicle owners in New Zealand say they would buy another EV, according to new research from Consumer NZ that highlights strong satisfaction among current drivers.

Consumer NZ’s latest car reliability and satisfaction survey found 96% of EV owners would purchase another electric vehicle, based on responses from 5,791 members and supporters surveyed in November and December 2025.

The survey examined car owners’ experiences across engine types, brand performance, reliability and overall satisfaction.

Consumer NZ chief executive Jon Duffy says the research provides insights into changing vehicle preferences.

“This survey canvassed car owner experiences, providing insights into preferred engines, brand performance, reliability and overall owner satisfaction,” Duffy says.

Petrol vehicles still dominate New Zealand’s vehicle fleet, accounting for 59% of cars owned by respondents. However, electrified vehicles are becoming more common.

The share of EVs and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) in the survey rose from 12% in 2023 to 17% in 2025, while hybrid ownership increased from 10% to 15% over the same period.

“This indicates a gradual but growing shift towards going electric on our roads,” Duffy says.

Lower running costs remain a major reason drivers switch to EVs. More than half of EV owners said they chose electric in anticipation of reduced operating costs, and 81% reported their running costs are much cheaper.

Environmental considerations were also a significant motivation.

“Our research found that one of the more affordable electric vehicle brands ranked highly when it came to price and reliability, outstripping performance on some better-known petrol brands,” Duffy says.

The survey also found many EV owners may be missing opportunities to reduce their electricity costs. Despite the higher energy use associated with charging vehicles, 29% of EV owners said they kept the same power plan after buying an EV.

“This highlights the importance of heading to Powerswitch to find the best deal for your energy needs. There are significant savings to be made on power by shopping around,” Duffy says.

In addition to powertrain preferences, the research explored attitudes toward vehicle safety technology. Reversing cameras and parking sensors were rated as the most valued safety features, while lane-keeping assist was considered the most annoying.

Consumer NZ says the survey results also form part of its annual People’s Choice awards, which assess vehicle reliability, owner satisfaction and maintenance and repair costs.