NZ EV sales top 3000

More than 3,000 EVs are now registered in New Zealand, exceeding annual targets, according to transport minister Simon Bridges. “I am delighted with the number of EV registrations we are now seeing,” he said. “This year there has been 517 EV registrations bringing the total number of EVs in New Zealand to 3005. With nine months to go we are already half way to achieving our 2017 target.” “We’re also seeing more new models coming onto the market and an increased interest from EV manufacturers – with both Hyundai Ioniq and Tesla, for example, recently announcing their entry into New Zealand,” Bridges added. “There’s also been a big increase in the models and quantity of used EVs being brought into New Zealand.” 50 fast chargers are now available across the country, with current plans to install at least another 50 in the form of various local government and private contracts with the aid of government funding. Annual sales of EVs passed 700,000 worldwide in 2016. Globally, New Zealand is punching above its weight in EV uptake. “While 1,513 EVs were registered in New Zealand in 2016, in Australia, only about 220 EVs were,” Bridges said. 159,139 EVs were sold in the United States last year, or one for every 1,998 people. By comparison, one EV for every 1,490 New Zealanders was registered locally in 2016. Per capita, Norway bought the most EVs in 2016, with 45,662 units, or one for every 110 people.