search
Login
There are still many benefits to buying an EV.

There are still many benefits to buying an EV.

What's good about owning an EV?

Ben Whittacker-Cook looks into the benefits of buying an EV in today's market.

It’s been a challenging twelve months for the electric and hybrid vehicle sectors, but reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. They are here to stay and now might be the ideal moment to embrace clean and green driving.

A few factors are at play in New Zealand’s EV market. Sales have slowed – EVs contributed to 7.7% of all new vehicle sales in 2024, down from 9.8% in 2023 – the Clean Car Discount ended in December 2023, and previously discounted ACC levies have increased to be in line with other cars. 

An EV owner waits for her car to charge.
An EV owner waits for her car to charge.

“The enthusiasm for EVs has waned,” says Terry Collins, Principal Policy Advisor at the AA. “And there are some complex reasons for this. But that makes today a good time to buy an EV. There are some sharp value-for-money deals out there, the range of options is growing fast, EVs come with plenty of innovative safety features and, of course, they’re good for the environment.”

Car manufacturers Ford, Nissan, BMW and Audi are among the big hitters launching new models this year, and there’s huge anticipation in the market for the new Tesla Model Y. China remains an influential source of new models, products and innovation with BYD launching the next generation of Blade EV battery, which is designed to last 30 years and comes with an eight-year warranty.

What will be of interest to potential buyers right now is vehicle stock. Buying new? The GWM Ora, with a range of 310km, is available for $26,990. As of mid-February 2025, a quick look on Trade Me reveals around 2,000 electric vehicles for sale out of the total 113,035 electric cars registered in New Zealand (Drive Electric), with the majority sitting under the $30,000 mark.

Learning how to charge a new EV
Learning how to charge your EV is a straightforward.

And it’s a buyer’s market. Once dealers clear their stock, prices rise, and with supply outstripping demand at present, lower-cost EV motoring has never been more affordable. Electric cars don’t like sitting on the dealership forecourt doing nothing. And neither do sellers. EVs need to keep moving to keep healthy, and a trip to a local dealership or online may present the bargain of a lifetime. In short, there is plenty of choice out there.

One thing that hasn’t changed in the fluctuating market is the exceptional running costs and convenience of EVs. Genless reports that 80% of EV owners do half of their charging at home, costing the equivalent of $1.60c per litre to ‘fill up’.

Concerns about range anxiety and the availability of publicly accessible charge points continue to be barriers to entry. Kiwis like to travel, and while short trips such as the daily commute or a trip to the beach are easily navigable, a trip around the South Island can seem daunting. However, in April 2024, the government announced plans to significantly increase the number of public EV chargers across New Zealand, aiming for a network of 10,000 charge points by 2030.


And just like the empty petrol gauge in an internal combustion engine (ICE) car, which can still run a few extra kilometres, real-time tests prove that EVs travel over a greater range than specified. Technological advances are taking EV drivers further, too. The first generation 2010 Nissan Leaf, one of the world’s best-selling electric cars, has a range of approximately 160km. Today, the Volkswagen ID4 Pro can make around 519-530km. That’s the equivalent of Kerikeri to Auckland Airport and back on a single charge. 

Most EV owners charge their vehicles at home
Most EV owners charge their vehicles at home

Existing and emerging technologies make EV driving an extremely safe option. More sophisticated collision avoidance systems, airbag technology (the Volvo XC40 features airbags in the vehicle floor), high-resistance fire-safe materials, emergency shut-off systems and more, the tech packed into EVs is mind-boggling. 

And, as Terry points out, the sheer design of a basic EV makes it inherently safe. “EVs have a low centre of gravity and a well-protected ’crumple zone’ that sucks up all the energy experienced by a head-on collision, for example. And if you get hit at the side, a well-positioned, strong bumper bar runs from one side of the car and one end to the other. Basically, EVs are incredibly tough.”

EVs are also fun to drive; quiet, smooth, easy to handle and rapid in acceleration.

For those wanting some of the fuel-saving and environmental benefits of an EV but with more versatility, a PHEV or FHEV hybrid may be the way to go. A PHEV is a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle that uses electric motor and petrol to power the internal combustion engine (ICE); FHEVs are full hybrid electric vehicles that combine a hybrid battery and ICE. FHEVs are self-charging, the battery is charged through regenerative braking. 

Charging an EV
EV charging, rather than refueling, soon becomes second nature.

Buyers of new hybrids will be spoilt for choice this year, with new cars are on their way from Subaru, Great Wall Motors, an updated version of the legendary Honda Civic, and many more.

And there are thousands of used hybrids on sale, all the time. Thinking PHEVs? The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross and Outlander are real Kiwi favourites, with ranges of around 55km and 84km, respectively. Older 2018 Crosses with 100,000+ on the clock are on sale for less than $20,000. Popular FHEV models include the versatile Hyundai Ioniq, and the evergreen, durable Toyota Prius which you can pick up for around $20,000.

Whatever your next purchase, do your research, take plenty of test drives, think about the type of journeys you make, read the reviews and shop around.

Story by Ben Whittacker-Cook for the Autumn 2025 issue of AA Directions Magazine. Ben Whittacker-Cook is a freelance writer who regularly contributes to AA Directions Magazine.

What do you think?

Are you considering buying an EV? Why, or why not? Let us know in a letter to the editor.

[email protected]