EECA estimates the five-year cost of owning an EV is just 67.5% of the cost of a petrol car.

You save $13/week $11,000+ over the life of the vehicle

At current mortgage rates (~5.5%), you could swap higher fuel costs for lower finance repayments. You’d be better off buying an EV on finance than a petrol car on finance.

Some banks offer 0–1% loans for sustainable purchases like EVs and solar panels. Short-term repayments may be higher, but running cost savings kick in fast.

Not ready to buy? Companies like Mevo, Zilch, Cityhop and Ryd offer EVs by the hour, day or month — with insurance, charging and maintenance included.

There’s a lot of talk about what electric vehicles can’t do and plenty of myths that might stop people from upgrading. But the people who actually own EVs? They’re overwhelmingly sold. There are now almost 100,000 full EVs on New Zealand roads — and interest keeps growing.

Much less noise and vibration. Smooth, instant acceleration with no gear changes. No exhaust fumes improving air quality in our neighbourhoods.

Nearly 90% of NZ’s electricity is renewable. An EV here emits up to 90% less CO₂ per km. Even factoring in manufacturing, 60% fewer lifetime emissions.

Regenerative braking recovers energy while stopping or going downhill. One-pedal driving means your brakes barely wear out.

One Australian study showed petrol cars are around 100 times more likely to catch fire. No flammable fuel tank means a fundamentally safer vehicle.

Vehicle-to-Load lets you power kettles, fridges, power tools, great for camping and trade work. V2G can even back up your home for days.

15–20 year lifespan, 80% capacity after a decade. Warranties of 8 years / 160,000km. And 95% of battery materials can be recovered and reused.

Most EV owners charge at home — no detours to the petrol station, no queues. Just plug in when you get home and your car charges while you sleep.

NZ has a growing network of public chargers. Apps like PlugShare and ChargeNet make finding one simple. A 15–30 minute stop adds around 100km of range — perfect for a coffee and a stretch.

Different chargers suit different situations. The three-pin plug is the slowest and cheapest; while public DC chargers are the fastest and most expensive.

Around 90% of trips are under 90km, and the average trip is just 20km. Most drivers cover about 270km per week. Modern EVs comfortably exceed this — giving you more than enough for commuting, errands, kids’ activities and trips to the bach.

The most affordable EVs handle everyday driving with ease. The original Nissan Leaf — the OG of NZ’s EV scene — can be picked up from just $1,500 second-hand. It’s one of the cheapest ways to electrify your commute.

EVs deliver power instantly — excellent hill-climbing, smooth acceleration and strong performance on varied terrain. With regenerative braking that recovers energy on descents, they’re perfectly suited for New Zealand’s hilly landscapes. Petrol engines? Just 20–30% efficient.

Ask any EV owner — driving electric is just more fun. F1 cars average 2.6 seconds to 100km/h. The Porsche Taycan does it in 2.3s. The Tesla 3 Performance ($89,990) takes just 3.1 seconds. Instant torque, no matter the size of the car.

Most modern EVs offer 300–500km from a full charge. That’s well beyond the average Kiwi’s weekly driving of about 270km. Around 90% of all trips are under 90km.

Modern EV batteries are designed for 15–20 years and still maintain around 80% capacity after a decade. Most new EVs in NZ come with battery warranties of 8 years or 160,000km. For many drivers, the battery will last longer than the time they own the car.

Yes. Transpower’s analysis shows that even if every light vehicle went electric, electricity demand would rise by only around 20%. With smart charging — shifting to off-peak hours — the system becomes even more efficient. V2G technology lets EVs actually support the grid.

Modern EV batteries are designed with recycling in mind. Around 95% of the materials — including lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, aluminium and graphite — can be recovered and reused. And when they're done being car batteries, they can often be used for stationary storage.

There are options. Regular car finance often works out cheaper for EVs when you factor in lower fuel costs. Some banks offer green loans at 0–1%. And car-share services like Mevo, Zilch, Cityhop and Ryd let you try EVs by the hour or day.

Absolutely. EVs deliver instant torque for excellent hill-climbing. With 85–90% motor efficiency (vs 20–30% for petrol) and regenerative braking that recovers energy on descents, they’re perfectly suited for NZ’s landscape.

Most households can start charging with a standard wall outlet at no extra cost. A dedicated home charger adds faster charging and off-peak scheduling. Home charging is one of the cheapest ways to fuel any vehicle.

Very. According to an Australian study, petrol and diesel cars are around 100 times more likely to catch fire because they contain a tank of flammable liquid. EVs have no exhaust fumes, improving air quality in our cities and neighbourhoods.