Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales held broadly steady in 2025, while plug-in hybrids recorded the strongest growth of any powertrain as New Zealand’s new vehicle market stabilised.
New registration data shows BEVs accounted for 5.6% of all new vehicle sales in 2025, up slightly from 5.2% in 2024, with 7,706 units registered for the year.
In December, 633 BEVs were registered, representing 6.8% of the monthly market, down from 885 units (8.6%) in December 2024.
Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) recorded the strongest year-on-year growth, lifting their share of the market to 5% in 2025, up from 2.7% a year earlier. A total of 6,885 plug-in hybrids were registered over the year.
December PHEV registrations reached 649 units, accounting for 7% of the market, compared with 709 units (6.9%) in December 2024.
Hybrid vehicles continued to expand their presence, accounting for 30% of total registrations in 2025, up from 27% the previous year. Full-year hybrid registrations totalled 41,414 units.
In December, 2,773 hybrids were registered, representing 29.8% of the monthly market, compared with 2,892 units (28.1%) in December 2024.
Internal combustion engine vehicles remained the dominant powertrain but continued to lose share, accounting for 59.4% of year-to-date registrations, down from 65.1% in 2024.
Overall, 9,304 new vehicles were registered in December 2025, a 9.8% decrease (down 1,011 units) compared with December 2024, but a 7% increase (up 8,998 units) on a year-to-date basis.
The Motor Industry Association (MIA) says registrations tracked higher year on year from June, supported by stronger spring activity, before easing at year end.
Industry data indicates December’s decline reflects typical seasonal timing rather than a deterioration in underlying demand.
MIA chief executive Aimee Wiley says 2025 marked a year of consolidation for the market.
“Activity lifted from mid-year and finished ahead of 2024, supported by easing financial conditions and improving confidence, but demand remains measured,” Wiley says.
“Buyers are prioritising value, practicality and suitability, whether that is in their choice of vehicle segment or motive power. What the data shows clearly is a market adjusting, with households and businesses being deliberate about the timing and scale of their purchasing decisions.”
Passenger and commercial trends
In the light passenger vehicle segment, BEVs accounted for 7% of registrations in 2025, slightly down from 7.3% in 2024. Plug-in hybrids lifted share to 4.8%, from 3.9%, while non-plug-in hybrids increased to 37.2%, up from 35.7%.
In the light commercial vehicle segment, BEVs remained a small but growing presence, accounting for 1.5% of registrations, up from 0.5% in 2024. Plug-in hybrids increased sharply to 6.5%, from 0.2%, while hybrids lifted to 14.6%, from 10.5%.
ICE-powered light commercial vehicles remained dominant but fell to 77.4% of registrations, down from 88.8% a year earlier.
The industry says 2025 did not mark a return to previous market highs, but it did signal a reset to more stable demand levels, with battery electric and other electrified vehicles continuing to reshape the market heading into 2026.
