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 remained strong, while EV sales are up slightly and plug-in hybrids have continued their decline in popularity:
Sales by Engine Type 2025 |
|---|
53% Petrol/Diesel |
35% Petrol Hybrid |
7% EV |
5% Plug-in Hybrid |
Source: Motor Industry Association
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 after a sluggish start to the year, Tesla has returned to the top of NZ's top-selling EV charts, on the back of the popularity of its new and improved Model Y.
Over the past couple of months close to 600 of the new-look Model Ys have been registered, pushing the car's total sales for the year up to 807. Combined with the 211 Model 3s that have arrived in the country this year, it gives Tesla a 23% share of the EV market, beating BYD's 18% share.
And it’s worth noting that BYD has four passenger car models – the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and Sealion – to Tesla’s two: Model 3 and Model Y.
So far this year, BYD has sold 825 of its four models, and Tesla a total of 1018 cars between the Y and 3.
Rank | Top Selling EVs 2024 | Top Selling EVs August 2025 | Top Selling EVs 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tesla Model Y (826) | Tesla Model Y (68) | Tesla Model Y (807) |
2 | Tesla Model 3 (461) | Kia EV3 (25) | BYD Atto 3 (426) |
3 | Ford Mustang Mach-E (452) | Toyota BZ4X (23) | Polestar 2 (341) |
4 | BYD Atto 3 (383) | BYD Atto 3 | Kia EV5 (21) | Tesla Model 3 (211) |
5 | Nissan Leaf (308) | BMW i (18) | BYD Sealion 7 (175) |
6 | Volkswagen ID.4 (275) | Audi Q4 E-Tron (16) | BYD Dolphin (174) |
7 | MG4 (256) | BYD Sealion 7 (15) | Kia EV5 (173) |
8 | Volkswagen ID.5 (232) | Mini Countryman | Volvo EX30 (13) | BMW i (162) |
9 | Kia EV9 (197) | Skoda Enyaq (12) | Kia EV3 (158) |
10 | Polestar 2 (188) | Leapmotor C10 | MG S5 | Omoda E5 (16) | Toyota BZ4X (121) |
Source: Motor Industry Association
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 (from $67,900)
The new 2025 Model Y comes in two versions (range/top speed/0-100km):
- 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 $49,990)
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.
