EV registrations climbing in March

About 762 EVs were registered for the week ending March 6 – 310 more than the previous week, according to the Ministry of Transport’s new weekly updates.

EV dealerships say interest is keen as fuel prices continue to rise – especially due to Russia’s war on Ukraine impacting global oil prices.

The war has already had implications for the motoring world, with numerous brands pulling exports and operations from Russia and other brands on the back foot having to deal with wiring harness Ukraine supply shortages.

The next crisis on the horizon for the industry could result in an extension to the existing chip shortage.

For the last two years car manufacturers worldwide have been dealing with a semi-conductor shortage, prompted in part by COVID-19 and subsequent travel restrictions around the world.

Meanwhile, the MoT says 3157 EVs have been registered in New Zealand year-to-date, 1752 more than for the same time last year. It says all EVs reached 41,869 – including 39,811 light EVs and 1708 electric motorcycles.