Biggest year ever for climate clean cars

Te Whanganui-a-Tara - More than 57,000 light electric and non plug-in hybrid vehicles registered in its first year of operation, the most on record and a 56 percent increase on the previous year.

EVs and non plug-in hybrids made up 20 percent of new passenger car sales in March and April this year.

The clean car discount provides a maximum rebate of $8625 to for low and zero emission new and used imports, with fees on higher emitting vehicles helping to fund the scheme.

Kiwis are embracing the opportunity to upgrade to cleaner, more environmentally friendly vehicles that will save them money, reduce the reliance on fuel and ensure they can play an active role in cutting emissions and responding to the climate emergency.

The greatest growth has been in the brand new passenger electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle market, where the sales market-share has jumped from three percent in 2020 to 8 percent in 2021 and 20 percent over March and April 2022.

New Zealand is now fast catching up with global market leaders. Climate Change Minister James Shaw says the clean car discount is making a significant contribution towards Aotearoa meeting its change targets.

The discount scheme is doing exactly what it was designed to do, which is to make cleaner vehicles a more realistic choice for people. The overall success of the scheme means that together New Zealanders are moving meaningfully towards climate friendly ways of getting around.

The emissions reduction plan the government set up will ensure lasting cuts to climate pollution across the economy, while making life better for everyone.

The actions in the plan will increase the number of zero emissions vehicles in our communities to at least 30 percent of the light fleet by 2035.

The clean car discount is making a huge contribution towards meeting that target while supporting New Zealanders to be part of the transition to New Zealand’s low carbon future.

The expanded scheme, which came into effect on 1 April, has seen more than $18 million paid out in clean car rebates and more than $14 million in fees collected in the first two months.

A wider range of used and new fuel efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles are now eligible to receive a rebate, with the number of vehicles registered in April and May 2022 almost doubling to 14,000 as compared to the same period last year, according to the Motor Vehicle Register.