June good for EV registrations

Electric vehicle registrations rose 638 in June – the best month so far this year and just ahead of the previous record set in October 2018.

Totals have fluctuated since, dropping below a 500 per month increase in March and April, but have surged to 14,867 light EVs recorded this June compared with 14,229 in May, latest Ministry of Transport figures show.

Used light pure EVs still lead the charge, the 8522 recorded for June up 303 on the previous month’s 8219.

New light pure EVs come to 2624, 208 up on May’s 2418.

Used light plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) reached 1177 in June – 55 up on May’s 1122, and new light PHEVs climbed to 2404 – 68 more than the previous month’s 2336.

Heavy EVs show an improvement too – up six to 140.

The MoT is taking into account EV availability in the Japanese market, viewing that as a potential limitation to New Zealand’s EV uptake as many used EVs come from Japan.

But there seems little cause for concern at this stage with figures for the April 2017-March 2018 year showing healthy growth there.

Nissan remains streets ahead by brand in the New Zealand light EV market on 8273 registrations, with Mitsubishi second on 1855 and Hyundai third on 957.