Why buy an electric vehicle

Safe driving

EVs sold in New Zealand must meet the same minimum vehicle safety standards as petrol and diesel vehicles.

Look for the maximum 5-star ANCAP rating. An EV’s high-voltage electric system is designed to automatically deactivate in a crash. They are less likely to catch fire in a crash than petrol or diesel vehicles. Plus, the weight of the battery packs give EVs a lower centre of gravity, so they are less likely to roll.

Check safety rating(external link)

Safe charging

It’s safe to charge an EV at home, but it is important that you use the right equipment, in the right way. For example, you shouldn’t use extension cables or modified charging equipment such as overseas equipment that has been fitted with a New Zealand plug.

A wall mounted smart charger, installed by an electrician, is the safest way to charge your EV.

Charging your EV at home

The AA recommends EVs are serviced as often as petrol/diesel vehicles. That means every 12 months or 15,000km (whichever comes first), or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) need the same regular servicing as a petrol/diesel car.

Battery EVs don’t have a petrol/diesel engine but items such as brakes, tyres, lights and wipers still need taking care of. Ask your local authorised brand dealership to recommend a technician.

Range and batteries

EV batteries are designed to last many years. Most new EVs have battery warranties that guarantee the battery for a certain length of time (around 8-10 years) or distance (such as 160,000km).

Over time, EV battery capacity gradually decreases the more it is used, like a mobile phone. It can also happen when a vehicle is parked up and not being used.

Decreased capacity means the car won't travel as far on a single charge. It will still work well, and will be a good option for car buyers who don't need to travel so far between charges.

When an EV battery no longer provides a useful driving range – typically after many years – it may be possible to replace the dead cells within a battery to extend its life. If a full replacement is required, you may be able to improve the range of your EV by installing a new battery with more capacity, providing it’s compatible with your vehicle.

The used battery still has value. It can be refurbished, repurposed or recycled – for example, to store electricity from solar PV panels, or raw materials reclaimed. You may even be paid for the old battery.

Range and batteries

A temperate climate like ours is well suited to EVs. Battery life can be reduced by extreme temperatures – below freezing and above 30 degrees Celsius. In these conditions, look for advice in the car manual.

You can charge an EV outside, in any weather, so long as all equipment is designed for use in New Zealand and for the conditions in which it will be used.

We’ve seen a surge of new EV models come on to the market in the last few years, and these days a driving range of 300-400km is within easy reach for most new EVs. Many have over 400km range.

To put this in perspective, the driving distance from Auckland to Taupō is 275km, and from Auckland to Wellington is 650km. So if you’re driving to Wellington you will need to stop and top up along the way. EV drivers tend to take a slightly different approach to long-distance trip planning and aim to stop for lunch/coffee/toilet breaks where public chargers are available. Because public chargers often get installed alongside other public facilities, this usually works out quite conveniently.

Most of us don’t drive long distances that regularly anyway – if you only need a long-range vehicle for a twice-yearly family holiday, you could consider renting an appropriate vehicle for those trips instead. If your everyday car is an EV this could be an economical option for you with the money you’re saving on running costs.

Tips for the best roadie EVer

As well as running on low-carbon electricity, EVs stack up for the environment when you look at their full lifecycle.

The Climate Change Commission has said, “An EV used in Aotearoa emits about 60% fewer emissions over its full life cycle than an equivalent petrol vehicle. This is the case even when accounting for emissions from raw material extraction, manufacture, and shipping. This figure will improve as Aotearoa phases out fossil fuels in electricity generation and as global efforts decrease emissions from EV supply chains."

An assessment of the environmental impact of EVs, commissioned by EECA in 2015, also confirmed EVs were better for the New Zealand environment than petrol/diesel vehicles. This was true for EVs when driven in New Zealand, and across the lifecycle of the vehicle.

EVs and Aotearoa | EECA(external link)

If all light vehicles in New Zealand were electric (which is a long way off), our current total electricity demand would increase by around 20%, EECA estimates. Enough renewable electricity infrastructure is being built that, added to our existing network, will easily accommodate a larger EV fleet, especially with off-peak charging.

Smart charging can smooth peak demand and reduce the risk of EVs overloading the electricity system.

EVs and Aotearoa | EECA(external link)

This depends on the vehicle, so check before towing. Many manufacturers state their EVs should not be used for towing. If in doubt, read the vehicle manual (usually available online) or talk to a dealer.

We highly recommend talking to someone who owns an EV to find out what it’s really like.

Here are some other sources of EV-related info from people in the know:

Flip the Fleet

Collects and shares information about EV ownership in New Zealand.

Flip the Fleet(external link)

NZ EV Owners Facebook group

A Facebook group for sharing EV advice, insights and tips.

NZ EV Owners(external link)

Like any vehicle, you can take an EV for a test ride before you buy. But if you really want to get the feel for what it’s like to drive and charge an EV, why not rent one for a few days – or a holiday.

Loads of hire car companies now offer EVs for rent.

Have a go in an EV