More than three in every five new passenger vehicles registered in New Zealand last month had some form of electrified powertrain, as battery-electric (EV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and conventional hybrid vehicles accounted for over 60% of the market.

According to Motor Industry Association (MIA) registration data, of the 13,243 passenger vehicles registered in September 2026, 2,593 were EVs, 1,203 were PHEVs, and 4,633 were conventional hybrids.

EVs and PHEVs alone accounted for over a quarter of the passenger vehicle market with 28.7% share, while all three electrified segments combined accounted for 8,429 registrations, or 63.6% of registrations. Internal-combustion vehicles (ICE) accounted for the remaining 36.4%.

The shift comes as 91, 95, and 98 unleaded petrol hit record high levels and is particularly pronounced compared with the new car market a year ago.

In September 2025, EVs accounted for just 5.9% of passenger registrations, while PHEVs represented 3.7% and conventional hybrids 37.8%. ICE vehicles made up 52.5% of the market.

In September 2026, EV share had more than tripled to 19.6%, while PHEV share increased to 9.1%. The conventional hybrid share eased slightly to 35.0%, while ICE fell to 36.4%.

The result means electrified vehicles have gained 16.1 percentage points of market share from petrol and diesel vehicles in just 12 months.

The change is even more pronounced on a year-to-date basis. Passenger EV registrations are up 178.4% compared with the first nine months of 2025, while PHEVs have increased by 166.6%. Petrol and diesel passenger registrations, meanwhile, are down 14.1%.

The MIA says the September data shows customers continuing to embrace a broader range of motive-power options, particularly EVs and PHEVs.

Among private buyers, one in every two passenger vehicles registered in September was either an EV or PHEV, according to the MIA.

“The September data shows customers continuing to embrace a broader range of motive power options, particularly battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles,” said MIA Chief Executive Aimee Wiley.

The Tesla Model Y remained the country's best-selling EV in September, with 588 registrations. It was followed by the BYD Atto 2, MG 4, BYD Atto 1, and BYD Sealion 7.

Toyota's new RAV4 PHEV was the country's best-selling PHEV, with 352 registrations in September. It was followed by the BYD Sealion 6, GWM Haval H6, BYD Sealion 5, and BYD Atto 2.

Conventional hybrids remain the largest individual electrified category, led by the Toyota Corolla Cross, which recorded 1,053 registrations in September to be the top-selling model of the month.

The broader new-vehicle market also had a strong month, with total registrations reaching 17,055, up 22.0% from September 2025.

Electrified Passenger Vehicle Registrations - September

Electric vehicles

Make and model	September 2026 registrations	YTD 2026 registrations
Tesla Model Y	588	2,980
BYD Atto 2	172	732
MG 4	165	648
BYD Atto 1	151	716
BYD Sealion 7	125	533

Plug-in hybrids

Make and model	September 2026 registrations	YTD 2026 registrations
Toyota RAV4	352	2,125
BYD Sealion 6	84	504
GWM Haval H6	83	690
BYD Sealion 5	78	530
BYD Atto 2	68	69

Hybrid vehicles

Make and model	September 2026 registrations	YTD 2026 registrations
Toyota Corolla Cross	1,053	3,446
Toyota RAV4	451	3,477
Toyota Corolla	450	1,571
Kia Sportage	317	2,101
Toyota Highlander	251	720

Almost two-thirds of new cars sold in NZ were electrified last month

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