Value of EV imports soars

The value of passenger motor vehicle imports totalled $6.1 billion for the 12 months to the end of June, up by $1.1b and 23 per cent from the previous year, according to new data from Stats NZ.

Over the year, the value of reduced-emission vehicle imports – including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrids and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) – increased by 33 per cent to $2.9b.

Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle imports, including those powered by diesel or petrol, increased by 16 per cent over the same period to $3.1b.

Stats NZ says while the value of ICE units imported remained higher than that of reduced-emission vehicles, the difference has narrowed over time. 

In the latest 12-month spell, imports of ICE vehicles were valued at $202 million more than reduced-emission alternatives, compared with $4.5b more in the year ended June 2019.

Shanna Dilworth, international accounts spokesperson, adds: “Reduced-emission motor vehicles accounted for 48 per cent of the total value of all passenger vehicles imported in the year ended June 2026.

“Nearly one in three passenger vehicle imports were hybrid electric vehicles.”

A breakdown of the latest import figures shows all categories of low-emissions vehicles increased their value over the past year.

The value of hybrids, which accounted for 58 per cent of the total of reduced-emission vehicles imported, climbed by 7.9 per cent to $1.7b. Meanwhile, BEVs rose by 105 per cent to $810m and PHEVs increased by 76 per cent to $413 million.

Japan was the main source of reduced-emission vehicle imports in the June 2026 year, taking out 44 per cent of the sector at a value of $1,28b.

Next was China with 30 per cent and $877m, and South Korea on 8.6 per cent and $251m.

China was the main provider of BEVs, supplying 73 per cent of such imports, and Japan supplied 63 per cent of hybrids imported into New Zealand.

Trade figures

Overall figures for overseas merchandise trade show the value of imported vehicles, parts and accessories totalled $935m last month, an increase of $97m or 11.5 per cent, when compared with June 2025.

The category helped boost the June total for all merchandise goods imports by $1.7b, or 28 per cent, from a year ago to $8.1b.

The biggest jump for vehicles, parts and accessories last month was those from China rising by $116m. 

Such commodities from Australia also increased in value by $19m while those from South Korea went up by $14m.

In contrast, the value of imports for the same category from the EU fell by $14m month-on-month.

The latest data also shows the automotive category recorded an increase in value for the three months ended June 2026, rising 20.4 per cent from the same period a year earlier to hit $2.64b.

The tally for the 12 months to the end of June was also up, climbing 16.4 per cent from $8.29b a year ago to $9.65b.

As for other categories, petroleum products soared from $739m in June last year to $1.48b last month, a rise of 99.7 per cent. It also went up by 65.8 per cent for the quarter to $3.97b.

Overall exports last month grew by $1.6b, or 25 per cent, to reach $8.1b. This meant the monthly trade balance was a surplus of $23m.