EV registrations bounce back

The number of new and used electric vehicle (EV) registrations bounced back in February with 1,496 units – the fifth highest monthly total on record.

It was a 53.1 per cent jump from the 977 registrations in January this year, and 183.3 per cent higher than the 528 units in February of last year.

It took the size of the EV fleet – which covers battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and heavy EVs – to 38,598 units at the end of February, according to the Ministry of Transport.

Sales of low and zero-emissions vehicles have leapt since July 2021 when the government introduced clean car rebates for BEVs and PHEVs, hitting a peak of 2,281 in September.

Last month’s tally of 1,496 units was made up of 446 new light vehicles, 1,045 used light vehicles and 5 heavy EVs.

The overall EV fleet size at the end of February is up 56.9 per cent from 25,243 at the same stage a year ago.

The ministry notes this is made up of 13,200 new light BEVs, 6,690 new PHEVs, 15,869 used light BEVs, 3,508 used light PHEVs and 331 heavy EVs