HB buying EVs

The Government just reported that sales of EVs (pure and hybrid) are surging in New Zealand … and Hawke’s Bay is no exception.

Said Transport Minister Michael Wood: “Since the scheme (Clean Car Discount) came into force on 1 July 2021 there has been a 56 percent increase in the number of light-electric and Non Plug-in Hybrid vehicles registered in New Zealand, compared to the same period last year.”

More than 57,000 light-electric and Non Plug-in Hybrid vehicles have been registered in the scheme’s first year of operation.

“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 3 percent in 2020 to 8 percent in 2021 and 20 percent over March/April 2022,” said Wood.

BayBuzz asked HB Toyota/Lexus CEO Angus Helmore for his take on our local market. His reply …

“We are seeing a significant customer shift towards our electrified range. New vehicle orders in July show this with 60% of our Toyota customers and 100% for Lexus choosing BEV or HEV options. Our used vehicle customers are also moving towards Hybrid options as we increase supply across a broader range of models and prices.”

A wider range of used and new fuel efficient, hybrid and electric vehicles are now eligible to receive a rebate, with the number of such 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.

And as for you ute buyers, read this previous BayBuzz article on the Ford F-150 Lightning, where we explained how Ford, the biggest seller of trucks in NZ and the world, was dealing a “death blow” to ICE (internal combustion engine) trucks!