- Plug-in models account for 38% of June registrations.
- Tesla Model Y the biggest-selling vehicle of any kind.
- Overall market up 12.5% on this time last year.
The popularity of plug-in vehicles continued to rise in New Zealand in June, with battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models accounting for 38% of registrations - more than 1 in 3 registrations.
The last time EVs (by which we mean anything with a plug) achieved such signifcant market share was in the heady days of the Clean Car Discount, back in 2023.
May 2026 saw a 29.6% share for EVs, compared to 26.2% in April and 33.6% in March.
The pure-electric Tesla Model Y was the top-selling vehicle of any type in June, with 908 registrations. It beat the Ford Ranger (872) and Toyota RAV4 (821).
According to the Motor Industry Association (MIA), a significant portion of EVs sales have come from private buyers. While it admits it has no data to support the theory, it speculates that many June registrations would be deliveries of vehicles ordered in earlier months.
On a year-to-date basis, within the passenger vehicle segment, electric vehicles have accounted for 19.7% of registrations, compared with 9.2% in the same period of 2025.
The overall market has also grown, with June registrations up 13.5% year-on-year to 13,438 vehicles. It was driven by passenger-vehicle demand (which includes SUVs) up 20.1% and heavy vehicles (up 23%). Light commercials, which includes utes, dropped 7% compared to the same month last year.
Year-to-date the market is up 12.5% on 2025, at 71,388 vehicles.
MIA Chief Executive Aimee Wiley said June’s positive result has further reinforced two key trends that have been developing through the year: “Firstly, the market has strengthened each month despite challenging economic conditions, led by passenger vehicles and supported by gains in light and heavy commercial segments.
“And secondly, plug-in vehicles have continued to command a greater share of the market as the year progresses – against a backdrop of fuel supply concerns and increased model availability.”
NZ'S TOP 10 NEW VEHICLES YEAR-TO-DATE
Ford Ranger (4914)
Toyota Hilux (3663)
Toyota RAV4 (3220)
Mitsubishi Triton (1932)
Tesla Model Y (1908
Mitsubishi ASX (1807)
Mitsubishi Outlander (1555)
Ford Everest/Toyota Corolla Cross (1494)
Toyota Hiace (1489)