EV Sales Stats NZ (2026)
We analysed 106,061 vehicle registrations from January to July 2026 to rank New Zealand's best-selling EVs by brand and model. EVs now make up 17.8% of new car sales.
Updated 6 August 2026
Summary
Know This First: What does this data cover?
Important: This data covers January to July 2026. We routinely update this guide as further months are released. The source for all tables in this guide is the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi vehicle registration data.
Our guide covers:
January to July 2026 data results
- New Zealand registered 60,149 new passenger cars in the seven months to 31 July 2026, and 10,722 of them were pure electric - a 17.8% share, up from 6.9% across 2025.
- EVs sold at around 1,530 a month over the period, nearly three times the 2025 monthly rate.
- The data confirms that the Tesla Model Y is the best-seller with 2,309 registrations - more than the next four models combined.
- Chinese brands account for around 55% of all EV sales, led by BYD, MG and newcomer Dongfeng.
- Total electrified sales (EV, plug-in hybrid and hybrid) reached 63.4% of the new car market, up from 51.2% in 2025. Pure petrol has fallen to 30.2%.
Know This First: What does this data cover?
- This dataset captures all first-time registrations of vehicles with a 2026 model year in New Zealand from January to July 2026.
- For a current-year dataset like this, the overwhelming majority (over 99%) are brand-new vehicles sold through dealers, so this is effectively New Zealand's new-vehicle sales data - the same source the industry uses for monthly reporting.
- "EV" in this guide means pure battery electric only; hybrids and plug-in hybrids are counted separately.
Important: This data covers January to July 2026. We routinely update this guide as further months are released. The source for all tables in this guide is the NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi vehicle registration data.
Our guide covers:
- Top 15 Best-Selling EVs (January to July 2026)
- Top-Selling Electric Vehicles by Brand
- Fuel Type Market Share (January to July 2026 vs Full-Year 2025)
- Frequently Asked Questions
January to July 2026 data results
- Total new registrations (all vehicle types): 106,061
- New passenger cars: 60,149
- Pure electric cars: 10,722 (17.8%)
- Plug-in hybrids: 6,412 (10.7%)
- Hybrids: 20,857 (34.7%)
- Best-selling EV: Tesla Model Y (2,309)
- Best-selling EV brand: Tesla (2,515)
- Chinese-brand share of EV sales: Around 55%
Top 15 Best-Selling EVs (January to July 2026)
| # | Make | Model | Sales | EV Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla | Model Y | 2,309 | 21.5% |
| 2 | BYD | Atto 3 | 610 | 5.7% |
| 3 | BYD | Atto 1 | 547 | 5.1% |
| 4 | Dongfeng | Box | 532 | 5.0% |
| 5 | BYD | Atto 2 | 530 | 4.9% |
| 6 | Kia | EV3 | 466 | 4.3% |
| 7 | MG | MG4 | 447 | 4.2% |
| 8 | Jaecoo | J5 | 436 | 4.1% |
| 9 | Zeekr | 7X | 396 | 3.7% |
| 10 | BYD | Sealion 7 | 355 | 3.3% |
| 11 | Kia | EV5 | 290 | 2.7% |
| 12 | Toyota | bZ4X | 281 | 2.6% |
| 13 | MG | S5 EV | 246 | 2.3% |
| 14 | MG | ZS EV | 240 | 2.2% |
| 15 | Dongfeng | Vigo | 238 | 2.2% |
Note: Share percentages are of the total pure EV market (10,722 vehicles). The Tesla Model 3 (206 sales) sits just outside the top 15.
Top-Selling Electric Vehicles by Brand
| # | Brand | Sales | EV Share | Key Models |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla | 2,515 | 23.5% | Model Y, Model 3 |
| 2 | BYD | 2,082 | 19.4% | Atto 1, Atto 2, Atto 3, Sealion 7 |
| 3 | MG | 1,026 | 9.6% | MG4, S5 EV, ZS EV |
| 4 | Dongfeng | 858 | 8.0% | Box, Vigo |
| 5 | Kia | 807 | 7.5% | EV3, EV5 |
| 6 | Jaecoo | 436 | 4.1% | J5 |
| 7 | Zeekr | 431 | 4.0% | 7X |
| 8 | Toyota | 324 | 3.0% | bZ4X |
| 9 | Leapmotor | 214 | 2.0% | B10, C10 |
| 10 | Geely | 202 | 1.9% | EX5 |
Important: Sales are pure battery electric passenger cars registered from January to July 2026. Share percentages are of the total pure EV market (10,722 vehicles).
Fuel Type Market Share (January to July 2026 vs Full-Year 2025)
| Fuel Type | Sales | 2026 Share | 2025 Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol Hybrid | 20,180 | 33.6% | 36.9% |
| Petrol (pure) | 18,185 | 30.2% | 40.1% |
| Electric (BEV) | 10,722 | 17.8% | 6.9% |
| Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) | 6,412 | 10.7% | 4.6% |
| Diesel | 3,835 | 6.4% | 8.5% |
| Diesel Hybrid | 677 | 1.1% | 1.7% |
| Range-Extender EV | 138 | 0.2% | - |
| TOTAL ELECTRIFIED | 38,129 | 63.4% | 51.2% |
Know This: 2026 figures cover new passenger cars registered from January to July 2026 (60,149 vehicles). 2025 comparison shares are from our Top-Selling Cars in New Zealand 2025 analysis (11 months to 30 November 2025). Hybrid figures include a small number of vehicles classified as petrol electric hybrid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best-selling EV in New Zealand?
The Tesla Model Y, with 2,309 registrations in the seven months to July 2026 - more than one in five of all EVs sold. The BYD Atto 3, BYD Atto 1 and Dongfeng Box followed.
Do these figures include hybrids?
No. This guide counts pure battery electric vehicles only. Hybrids and plug-in hybrids appear in the fuel type table for context but are left out of the EV rankings.
Should I buy an EV or a hybrid?
It depends on your driving. An EV suits anyone who can charge at home and mostly drives locally - the running costs are hard to beat. A hybrid suits long rural distances and anyone without home charging. Our EV Transition Calculator compares the costs for your situation.
What was the best-selling electric ute?
The Geely Riddara RD6, with 143 registrations in the seven months to July 2026. Electric utes stayed a small category next to diesel, where the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux led, but 2026 was the first year they sold in meaningful numbers.
