Rebates pass 12,000-car milestone

The clean car rebate scheme has handed out more than 12,000 discounts to consumers since it was introduced in July last year and the Minister of Transport hopes to “keep building on this momentum”.

Michael Wood announced on April 7 the clean car discount scheme had passed the milestone and says it has exceeded the government’s expectations.

The clean car rebate provides a maximum of $8,625 for low and zero-emissions new and used imports when first registered in New Zealand.

It swung into operation for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) last July, and the full feebate scheme that also offers discounts for other low-emitting light  vehicles came into force from April 1 this year.

Wood says: “I’m excited and encouraged to see Kiwis making the most of the clean car rebate to help play an active role in cutting emissions and reaching our climate targets.

"Today’s milestone means that electric and hybrid vehicles now make up around one per cent of Aotearoa’s light-vehicle fleet. This is a promising start, but we need to keep building on this momentum.”

He adds the uptake of EVs is expected to accelerate under the feebate system and it also aims to encourage an increasing number of Kiwis to purchase more efficient vehicles and “reduce the pain they feel at the pump as we navigate a global energy crisis”.

Consumers can find details about the emissions levels and the rebates or fees for different models at Rightcar.govt.nz.