EVs continue popularity rise

EVs are up nearly 600 in April on the previous month, reaching 26,723 compared with 26,124 in March.

That’s according to newly released EV registrations from the Ministry of Transport.

Used light pure electric registrations went up 228 from 13,298 in March to 13,526 in April, while new light pure electrics rose by 181 from 6229 to 6410.

New light plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) increased by 125 in April (3949 in March to 4074 in April), and used PHEVs rose by 60 from 2412 in March to 2472 in April.

Heavy EVs went up by five from 236 to 241.

By comparison, EV registrations in March were up a massive 905 on February figures.

But it still means EVs won’t be anywhere near the former National government’s target of 64,000 EVs on our roads by the end of this year.

The eworld conference at The Trusts Arena in West Auckland on May 6 and 7 included discussion around what will boost EV numbers in New Zealand.

While much centred on the government needing to make some fairly urgent decisions, others say New Zealand is a small EV market on the global scale and that some EVs like utes have yet to arrive.

Most agreed the world (and New Zealand) is nearing the tipping point for the transition to EVs.