Tesla Model Y’s August arrival to boost EV registrations
Demand for the coming Tesla Model Y is expected to substantially increase EV registrations with deliveries due from August.
Meanwhile, strong interest continues in the top selling new EVs here, the Hyundai Ioniq 5 (102 May sales) followed by the Kia EV6 (80) and the Polestar 2 (77).
Some 617 light vehicle and 12 heavy vehicle full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered in May, according to the Motor Industry Association (MIA).
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) did even better with 762 units registered for May, it adds. Top selling models were the Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (306 units) followed by the Mitsubishi Outlander (207) and the MG HS (69).
That compares with 1663 hybrids registered in May (Toyota RAV4 428 units, followed by the Toyota Corolla on 217 units and the Honda Jazz with 192 units.)
Interest in BEVs is soaring, sparking a 344% increase in registrations last year (6897 units and already at 4769 year-to-date in 2022 with 11,446 forecast by this year’s end), especially after the Clean Car Discount became operational in July 2021 and further Clean Car scheme measures were introduced and announced in April this year. That’s been helped by rising petrol prices too.
PHEVs had a 228% increase last year (2482), recording 2897 year-to-date (YTD) and expected to reach 6953 by the end of this year.
Hybrids were the most popular “non-ICE” vehicle in 2016 (1365) but had just a 59% increase in 2021 at 13,794, reaching 6148 YTD this year and forecast to get to 14,755 by the end of 2022.
That means total “non-ICE” vehicles increased by 94% last year to reach 13,794, just exceeding that YTD in 2022 (13,814) with the final year’s figure forecast at 33,154.
May’s EV registrations also feature on the Ministry of Transport website.
EV dealers’ comments and a Trade Me Motors EV report are in the upcoming June EVs and Beyond magazine.
Join the conversation (1)
Both Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6 have the same basic architecture, under the skin. A lot about them is similar. A lot is different.
Overall they’re offering quite different trends.
The EV6 has a mix of different modern design elements that standout as feature “islands” around the car. However are these connected, related or integrated?
The Ioniq 5 takes a Lancia styling connection that that has also existed in other marques and is now developed into a stunning contemporary integrated theme, giving the Ioniq 5 a solid iconic future.