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Lowest to highest: every new EV you can buy in NZ in 2020

Saturday, 2 May 2020

Thinking about making the switch to an EV? Well here is every new one available in New Zealand.

While electric vehicles dominate the conversation in the motoring world, there is still relatively few of them available and they still only make up a tiny percentage of new car sales. Used car sales are healthier, with the Nissan Leaf dominating the second hand sector - you can read 'Lowest to highest: every used EV you can buy in NZ in 2020' by clicking here.

However, the range is widening, with a number of new players getting into the EV game locally, including Chinese-owned British brand MG with what is currently the lowest priced new EV on sale in New Zealand - the ZS small SUV.

That is a special pre-order price however and the car hasn't actually launched here yet - the price will go up when it does, but it should still hold on to the 'cheapest' title.

The range of EVs available in New Zealand is getting wider, but it is still a relatively small, high-priced market.
The range of EVs available in New Zealand is getting wider, but it is still a relatively small, high-priced market.

The Renault Zoe is at the other end of its production run and is currently in run-out to make room for an updated model, so is currently one of the cheapest new EVs in the country, but you will have to be quick if you want one as they only have a few of them left.

**READ MORE:

MG
MG's pre-launch offer for its ZS EV makes it the lowest priced new EV in New Zealand. Get in while you can.

* Lowest to highest: every used EV you can buy in NZ in 2020

* The ten best-selling cars with plugs

Nissan
Nissan's Leaf is a popular used import and still one of the lowest priced new EVs in New Zealand.

* Which SUVs have plug-in electric power?

* Car Question #19: why do electric vehicles have to look so silly?**

The Model 3 opens Tesla
The Model 3 opens Tesla's range at $77,990.

We have included range here, as it is useful to compare along with price and, wherever possible, have gone with the 'real world' range that has either been demonstrated by the local distributor, or we have actually done it ourselves. Failing that, we have included figures achieved in the new Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP).

Tesla previously only listed NEDC (New European Driving Cycle) ranges, but switched to WLTP last year, so their ranges have dropped slightly under the new system.

Porsche
Porsche's Taycan should have been here by now, but has been delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Porsche Taycan should have been on this list, but its local launch was disrupted by the coronavirus outbreak. Prices were due to have been announced last month, but expect it to effortlessly displace the Tesla Model X Performance as the most expensive entry on this list.

Likewise, the Mini Cooper S E electric is due here in the middle of this year, but may well face delays. Also confirmed for this year is the Audi e-tron Sportback, which is a sportier version of the existing e-tron, but we aren't likely to see the Tesla Model Y for a while longer, as right-hand drive production timing hasn't been confirmed yet.

It's not just passenger cars either - there is also a small selection of electric vans from LDV and Renault available as well.

If you are willing to keep burning some petrol in the mix with your electric running, then a plug-in electric vehicle (PHEV) could suit you, as they do offer the best blend of daily electric commuting and range-anxiety-free open road running that is better suited to New Zealand's terrain.

There is also a lot more choice in here as well, right from the ultra-frugal Toyota Prius Prime and the ridiculously practical and usable Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV, right up to the insanely fast and powerful Porsche Panamera Turbo E-Hybrid that will sprint form 0 to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and boasts a combined average fuel economy of just 2.9L/100km.

Not at the same time, obviously, but still.

We haven't included electric ranges here, as they vary too much and some don't even offer pure EV modes anyway.