State of electricity mobility in New Zealand 2023

Drive Electric, a local not-for-profit organization dedicated to electric vehicle (EV) adoption in New Zealand, says ‘State of the Nation | E-mobility in New Zealand 2023’. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the EV industry in the country, covering various aspects such as infrastructure, global trends and various types of electric vehicles including cars, planes, trains, trucks and buses.

Some of the key findings of the report include a 730% increase in electric car sales since 2017 and a 9.5-fold increase in the light electric vehicle fleet over the past five years. The Clean Cars program has contributed to a 21% reduction in average emissions from newly registered vehicles. Wellington has the largest electric vehicle market share in the country, while Canterbury has the largest number of public chargers. Additionally, around 24% of all bus registrations in New Zealand were fully electric last year.

Looking ahead, the report predicts that by 2035, a household with two electric vehicles could see a 51% reduction in energy bills. However, despite progress, electric vehicles represent only 2% of the light-duty fleet. Kirsten Corson, vice president of Drive Electric, recognizes the positive impact of the clean cars program, but stresses the need to take additional steps.

The report also highlights the challenge of electrifying heavy-duty transport, with only 100 fully electric trucks currently on New Zealand roads. Corson urges the next government to prioritize promoting zero-emission transport policies to tackle this challenge.

With favorable conditions for renewable energy, New Zealand is well positioned to capitalize on the future of electric mobility. Investing in charging infrastructure and supporting greater adoption of electric vehicles will result in long-term financial and environmental benefits for the country.

Source: Drive Electric

Definitions:
– EV: Electric vehicle, a vehicle that runs on electricity instead of gasoline or diesel.
– Clean Cars Program: A New Zealand government initiative that aims to reduce carbon emissions by encouraging the purchase of low-emission vehicles.
– E-mobility: the use of electric vehicles and other electric transport.