Reasons for choosing an EV

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The fuel costs of an EV are far cheaper than petrol and maintenance costs are also lower.

provides an interactive chart that shows the average running costs of different types of vehicles against their lifetime greenhouse gas emissions. EVs are consistently among the cheapest vehicles to run.

Over 30% of our national greenhouse gas emissions come from the “light passenger and commercial vehicle fleet”, i.e. cars.

EVs don’t need petrol. Any CO2 they emit while being driven comes from generating the electricity to power them.

In New Zealand, our electricity is usually around 80% renewable (hydro, geothermal, solar and wind), this means driving an EV emits 85% less greenhouse gas than an equivalent petrol vehicle.

Transport currently accounts for almost 39% of NZ’s carbon emissions. Of this amount, 89% is from road transport, with the majority (81%) from the light passenger and commercial vehicle fleet.

For more information on emissions in NZ, try the NZ statistics website:

Over their whole life, EVs emit 60% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than petrol vehicles, even when you take into account mining, manufacturing and shipping.

For more information on why EVs are good for New Zealand, have a look at the Ministry of Transport fact sheet:

was developed by MIT. It provides an interactive chart showing the lifetime cost of running different vehicles against their carbon emissions and the world’s 2030 emission targets. EVs are the lowest-emitting vehicles on the chart, well within the 2030 average emissions target.

While early EVs had a range of between 80 and 130km, most EVs now have a range of between 150 and 250km. The next generation of EVs will have even more.

95% of most daily travel demand in New Zealand is for distances less than 120km and the average driver only travels about 28 km

Every house with an electrical outlet socket is a potential EV charging station.

You can charge your vehicle overnight using the same 230v electrical socket that your phone’s charger plugs in to.

You can wake to a “full tank” every morning, saving you money and time.

If you have high travel demands or an EV with a big battery, you can also install a faster charging station in your garage.

EVs can accelerate quickly and smoothly from a standing start. They have no gears to shift through and can apply full power as soon as you touch the accelerator.

EVs climb hills more easily, smoothly and quietly than a combustion engine.

Regenerative braking also means they can regain energy while reducing wear and tear on the braking system while braking or travelling downhill.

Not many EVs come with a tow hitch, but most can be fitted with one.

The Tesla Model X, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Kia e-Niro can come with tow hitches fitted.

The Nissan Leaf can be fitted with an aftermarket towbar. For other vehicles, ask any towbar specialist if your EV can be fitted with a towbar.

The weight of the battery pack gives EVs a lower centre of gravity.

A lower centre of gravity, instant torque and modern car systems means EVs generally provide superior handling and are less likely to roll.

EVs and hybrids generally have higher safety ratings than other vehicles, and you can check the specific safety rating on each vehicle’s page in this guide.

Per km driven, EVs are less likely to catch fire in a crash than petrol or diesel vehicles.

EVs fuel up using renewable energy that is generated locally in New Zealand, instead of fossil fuels that are imported from overseas.

Currently New Zealand spends $9 billion annually on imported oil. By driving EVs we can use that money to pay for power infrastructure and projects that create new jobs and strengthen our economy.

Particulate emissions from the exhaust of petrol and diesel cars are harmful to human health and degrade air quality.

Air pollution from roads causes at least €70bn ($122bn NZD) in health damage every year in the European Union.

The New Zealand 2012 Health and Air Pollution report found that harmful emissions from vehicles cost New Zealanders $496 million annually in health impacts and contribute to the premature death of 256 people each year. EVs don’t use petrol or diesel.