Current Discount Programmes

HOW DOES THE CLEAN CAR DISCOUNT REBATE AND FEE POLICY WORK?

The CO₂ emissions values of vehicles in New Zealand are calculated in accordance with the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Efficiency and Emissions Data 2022. There is a zero band in the emission values at which there is no rebate and no fee is payable. The further above the zero band, the higher the fee. The closer to zero, the higher the rebate. You can look up the emissions value of any vehicle available in New Zealand on the Rightcar website, and you can find the emissions values of all new plug-in cars on our EV models tool.

Each year, rebate and fee values may be adjusted to ensure the Clean Car Discount scheme can continue to fund itself. Fees are paid to Waka Kotahi at the time of registration, and a vehicle will not be registered until payment has been made. New vehicle purchasers must also apply to Waka Kotahi for a rebate.

Exclusions to the policy apply to Special Interest Vehicles, vehicles over 40 years old,  Motorsport vehicles and Low Volume vehicles.

This policy removes some of the cost barriers still associated with transitioning to electric vehicles and strongly disincentivises the purchase of high emissions vehicles. It also sends a global message to car manufacturers and other governments that New Zealand is actively working towards a fully electric, low emission transport future.

View the full legislative document for the Clean Car Discount here: Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Discount Scheme Charges) Regulations 2022

HOW DO I USE THE DISCOUNT?

First, buy your vehicle.

• Vehicle dealers will be required to clearly display emissions ratings and relevant rebate or fee information on cars for sale so buyers understand the costs and incentives involved in their vehicle purchases.
• Vehicles eligible for rebates will have an emissions value lower than 100 grams of CO_2.
• The maximum rebate of $7015 is available for new fully electric cars with a 3-star safety rating or above, purchased for less than $80,000 including GST and On-Road Charges (ORCs).

Apply online.

• The registered owner of the vehicle then applies to Waka Kotahi for the rebate.
• You will need to provide the sale agreement and plates number along with bank account details.

Then, your rebate will be transferred to the registered person’s bank account.

DOES NEW ZEALAND HAVE ANY OTHER ELECTRIC VEHICLE POLICIES?

New Zealand has also taken other initiatives to support electric vehicle uptake and made ambitious responses to recommendations from the Climate Change Commission, including:

• An electric vehicle exemption from Road User Charges (RUCs) until 31st March 2024.
• The introduction of the Clean Car Import Standard, which requires vehicle suppliers to meet a lower emissions threshold on light vehicle imports, starting in 2022. This threshold will decrease further each year.
• A large-scale expansion and strengthening of our nationwide EV charging infrastructure; rapid DC chargers will be available every 75km along most state highways, to facilitate reliable inter-city travel and meet increasing demand.
• Quadrupled funding for the Low Emissions Transport Fund, which offers support to businesses and communities embarking on large-scale transport decarbonisation projects and fleet transitions.
• Electric vehicles will be exempt from Road User Charges (RUCs) until 31st March 2024.

WHAT IS THE LOW EMISSIONS TRANSPORT FUND?

Some businesses undertaking particularly innovative vehicle electrification projects could be eligible for funding from EECA’s Low Emission Transport Fund. The LETF makes up to $25m a year in funding available to support the demonstration and adoption of low emission transport solutions. The fund has helped facilitate projects like the introduction of New Zealand’s first electric milk tanker and concrete mixer, wireless bus charging in Auckland and solar-powered buses.