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I lately reported to CleanTechnica readers in regards to the surge in EV gross sales in Australia. It seems the identical factor is going on in New Zealand, with second-hand and demo EVs being snapped up and automotive yards emptying out. Right here is one revealing photograph:
Automobile yards are promoting for second-hand inventory. Because of Steven Greenwood for the data. Extra could be seen on his web site.
This morning, Warren Willmot, Basic Supervisor for BYD in NZ, spoke to me in a cellphone interview. He was most beneficiant together with his data. He was responding to the request I had placed on Fb in regards to the rumours of automotive yards empty of electrical autos. “Hello all, I’m listening to rumours of empty EV automotive tons and sellers operating out of inventory. Anybody received images or tales they want to share for an article for CleanTechnica? Many thanks, David.”
He spoke to me from the dealership the place he and his employees had been displaying potential patrons varied BYD fashions and taking orders. He advised me {that a} good salesman would promote about 20 EVs a month, whereas final month he bought 87. That’s only one salesman at one dealership. “Earlier than the struggle we might promote 300 BYDs a month. Now we’re promoting 200–300 in a weekend, nationally. Not solely that, however resale worth has elevated. The worth of a used Atto 3 has risen $3,000–5,000 New Zealand {dollars} within the final 3 weeks.
“Final month BYD was the #4 promoting model in NZ. If I had one other 2,000 vehicles, I might have bought them.”
I requested about inventory going ahead. Warren tells me he has 300 vehicles arriving in April and one other 600 arriving, hopefully, in Could. “Transport could also be an issue, however BYD is backing the New Zealand market. Mr Liu, BYD’s Basic Supervisor for Asia and Pacific, has promised to take vehicles from different international locations if obligatory. Maybe from Thailand & Singapore, the place applicable.”
Warren says he’ll proceed to order giant and is promising new prospects a 90 day supply date. All vehicles that will likely be arriving in April and Could (900) have been spoken for. However keep in mind, China has loads of manufacturing capability. There isn’t any restrict on what he can order. The one restrict is on what can match on the ships.
Why the surge? “It’s not the price of gas, it’s the thought that they may not be capable of drive, both due to petrol availability or authorities rules,” he tells me. Petrol in Auckland is roughly NZ$3.50, and has elevated 25% within the final month.
Sellers who carry a wide range of manufacturers are telling Warren that BYD is having fun with the next order price than different competing manufacturers. BYD is promoting as many PHEVs as BEVs as individuals free themselves from the pump.
In the meantime, Fb was pinging with notifications from individuals eager to share their EV shortage tales.
Right here’s an amazing remark placing the present low inventory stage of EVs right into a historic perspective:
“David Waterworth, when contemplating that new and used EV gross sales have clearly risen within the interval for the reason that USA and Israel began their struggle with Iran, keep in mind that new EV inventory loadings right here specifically had been very modest, as a result of market being massively depressed over the 2 years since incentives curtailed. Used costs in that interval additionally mirrored giant scale NZ disinterest throughout that interval. There’s little doubt the sector has out of the blue jolted again into life, however from a low base.”
Here’s a number of different feedback:
“We’re a automotive dealership in Christchurch. This month we bought 168 EVs . It’s been fairly wild, with all our vehicles being bought. We’ve got our 1903 vintage EV, XRAY, the lower in half LEAF … and empty house.
“Quickly… The Deliveries start! The Outdated automotive — Absolutely drivable! We took it via the McDonalds drive-thru. You’ll be able to see the video right here.”
What’s going to the dealership use the automotive gross sales ground for? “Significantly, we’re pondering of a Pickleball court docket.” Different witty recommendations included a distant management observe or break dancing. We’ve bought 168 vehicles this month, in comparison with a typical ~40.
See: Video of empty automotive yard in NZ.
“Each Tesla and BYD have reportedly run out of inventory in NZ.”
This provoked a response from Warren Willmot: “we (BYD NZ) have loads on the best way and secured inventory from different international locations.”
“For my spouse, we went to eight sellers for an EV. All run out and bought. You’ll be able to preorder new, however cargo principally due in finish of Could to July. Used automotive lot — all good ones are gone. Outdated Mannequin S and outdated LEAFs there, however overpriced and unreliable.”
Nicely, hopefully this struggle is over quickly after which individuals nonetheless resolve to get off fossil fuels
“Yeah, Honda operating out. I’m so glad I received my E N1 … picked up yesterday!”
“I went EV buying in Auckland three days in the past. Within the 45,000 greenback worth vary each single model was bought out.”
Jaecoo J5 and Omoda E5, Dongfeng, principally bought out. BYD new inventory arriving. Tesla too busy to speak.
Wish to have a look at all of the stats? Head over to James at EVDB New Zealand who tells us that EV gross sales have elevated by 278% in contrast with March 2025. In March 2026, plugin penetration in New Zealand reached 26% — the identical stage as 2023 when authorities incentives had been in place. Add to this the 617 imported used EVs (Nissan LEAFs from Japan) and the figures get even higher. James factors out that EVs have handed a turning level and might not be considered a fad. An excellent instance is the truth that the Tesla Mannequin Y L allocation bought out in ten days.
After a halving of EV gross sales when authorities incentives had been lower, it now seems to be like NZ is again on observe in the direction of a vivid electrical motoring future!
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