Electric cars and hybrids are common on our roads. However, last year EV sales hit the skids.
In 2022, EV and hybrid cars accounted for a third of all new car registrations. And in 2023 that percentage increased to 41%. Overall, pure EV models increased from a 10% market share in 2022 to 14.5% in 2023. However, just 5% of vehicles sold last year were EVs.
And it’s important to note that of the 34,635 hybrid cars registered in NZ last year, just 10% were plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), this compares to 23% across the same period in 2023.
Do these numbers reflect the end of the EV subsidies and the new road user charges for EV and PHEV owners? Probably!
So far this year, petrol-hybrid sales have increased their market share, while EV sales are up slightly:
| Sales by Engine Type 2025 |
| 54% Petrol/Diesel |
| 34% Petrol Hybrid |
| 7% EV |
| 5% Plug-in Hybrid |
Top selling totally electric vehicle models
Over 2024, EV sales were down 70% on 2023’s numbers: 6341 new EVs were registered last year, compared to 21,032 during 2023. However, despite many new models breaking into the top-seller list, Tesla remained the country’s most popular EV.
And this year, so far, despite the controversy around its CEO, Tesla remains the country’s top-selling EV marque, its two cars enjoying a market share of 15.5%, just ahead of BYD, whose three models, the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal, account for 15%.
| Top Selling EVs 2024 | Top Selling March 2025 | Top Selling EVs 2025 |
| 1 Tesla Model Y (826) | 1 Tesla Model 3 (79) | 1 Polestar 2 (162) |
| 2 Tesla Model 3 (461) | 2 Polestar 2 (68) | 2 BYD Atto 3 (155) |
| 3 Ford Mustang Mach-E (452) | 3 Tesla Model Y (66) | 3 Tesla Model Y (145) |
| 4 BYD Atto 3 (383) | 4 BYD Dolphin (48) | 4 Tesla Model 3 (119) |
| 5 Nissan Leaf (308) | 5 Kia EV5 (31) | 5 BYD Dolphin (75) |
| 6 Volkswagen ID.4 (275) | 6 BMW i Series (30) | 6 Kia EV5 (63) |
| 7 MG4 (256) | 7 Kia EV3 (29) | 7 BMW i Series (59) |
| 8 Volkswagen ID.5 (232) | 8 BYD Atto 3 (21) | 8 Toyota BZ4X (55) |
| 9 Kia EV9 (197) | 9 Kia EV6 (18) | 9 BMW X1 (52) |
| 10 Polestar 2 (188) | 10 BMWX1 (17) | 10 Mercedes-Benz EQE (50) |
→Related article: Best Hybrid Cars in New Zealand
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Most popular electric cars in New Zealand
Below is an overview of the top four selling EVs of 2024 in New Zealand. Why not the top five? Because Nissan stopped production of the Leaf last year. The last cars available in NZ were sold at a hefty discount, around $30,000, and were soon snapped up, which explains its position at No.5 on last year’s best-seller chart.
Prices do not include on-road costs or specials and should be used as a guide only.
Tesla Model Y
The old Model Y comes in three versions (range/top speed/0-100km), from $61,754:
- Rear-wheel drive: 455km | 217km/h | 6.9s
- Long-range AWD: 533km | 217km/h | 5s
- Performance: 514km | 250km/h | 3.7s
The new 2025 Model Y comes in two versions (range/top speed/0-100km), from $73,100:
- Rear-wheel drive: 466km | 201km/h | 5.9s
- Long-range AWD: 551km | 201km/h | 4.3s
Tesla Model 3 (from $63,900)
The Model 3 comes in three versions (range/top speed/0-100km):
- Rear-wheel drive: 513km | 201km/h | 6.1s
- Long-range AWD: 629km |201km/h | 4.4s
- Performance AWD: 528km | 261km/h | 3.1s
Teslas come with an eight-year battery warranty, or 160,000km for real-wheel drive model and 192,000km for the AWD and performance models, whichever comes first.
Ford Mustang Mach-E (from $74,990)
The Ford Mustang Mach-E SUV comes in three models (range/0-100km):
- RWD: 440km | 6.1s
- AWD: 550km | 5.1s
- GT: 490m | 3.7s
All models feature wireless phone charging, keyless entry, collision mitigation systems and adaptive cruise control. Ford Mustang Mach-E batteries come with a warranty of eight years or 160,000kms, whichever comes first.
BYD Atto 3 (from $51,990)
The Atto 3 comes in two models (range/0-100km):
- Extended: 420km | 7.3s
- Tachyon: 420km | 7.3s
The Tachyon is essentially the Extended model, but with a cosmetic makeover. Atto 3 batteries have a warranty of eight years or 160,000kms, whichever comes first.
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About the author of this page
Bruce Pitchers is Canstar NZ’s Content Manager. An experienced finance reporter, he has three decades’ experience as a journalist and has worked for major media companies in Australia, the UK and NZ, including ACP, Are Media, Bauer Media Group, Fairfax, Pacific Magazines, News Corp and TVNZ. As a freelancer, he has worked for The Australian Financial Review, the NZ Financial Markets Authority and major banks and investment companies on both sides of the Tasman.
In his role at Canstar, he has been a regular commentator in the NZ media, including on the Driven, Stuff and One Roof websites, the NZ Herald, Radio NZ, and Newstalk ZB.
Away from Canstar, Bruce creates puzzles for magazines and newspapers, including Woman’s Day and New Idea. He is also the co-author of the murder-mystery book 5 Minute Murder.
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