New Zealand imported $2.9 billion worth of reduced-emission passenger vehicles in the year to June 2026, as battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) imports recorded strong growth.
Figures from Stats NZ show the value of reduced-emission vehicle imports increased 33 per cent compared with the previous 12 months. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) together accounted for 48 per cent of the total value of passenger vehicle imports during the period.
Overall passenger vehicle imports were valued at $6.1 billion, an increase of 23 per cent, or $1.1 billion, year-on-year.
“Reduced-emission motor vehicles accounted for 48% of the total value of all passenger vehicles imported in the year ended June 2026,” said Shanna Dilworth, International Accounts Spokesperson at Stats NZ.
Gap with petrol and diesel vehicles narrows
Petrol and diesel vehicles remained the larger category, with imports valued at $3.1 billion compared with $2.9 billion for reduced-emission vehicles.
However, the difference between the two categories has narrowed considerably. Internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle imports exceeded reduced-emission imports by $202 million in the year to June 2026, compared with a $4.5 billion gap in the year to June 2019.
The figures show that reduced-emission vehicles are now approaching half of New Zealand’s passenger vehicle imports by value.
BEV imports more than double
Hybrids remained the largest category within reduced-emission vehicle imports, reaching $1.7 billion after increasing 7.9 per cent over the year. They represented 58 per cent of the value of reduced-emission imports.
BEVs recorded the largest percentage increase, with their import value rising 105 per cent to $810 million. PHEV imports also grew strongly, increasing 76 per cent to $413 million.
| Vehicle type | Import value | Annual change |
| Hybrid | $1.7 billion | +7.9% |
| Battery electric | $810 million | +105% |
| Plug-in hybrid | $413 million | +76% |
“Nearly one in three passenger vehicle imports were hybrid electric vehicles in the year ended June 2026,” said Dilworth.
Japan leads reduced-emission imports
Japan remained New Zealand’s largest source of reduced-emission passenger vehicles, supplying $1.3 billion worth during the year, equivalent to 44 per cent of the category’s import value.
China ranked second with $877 million and a 30 per cent share, followed by South Korea with $251 million and an 8.6 per cent share.
| Source country | Import value | Share |
| Japan | $1.3 billion | 44% |
| China | $877 million | 30% |
| South Korea | $251 million | 8.6% |
The source of vehicles also varied significantly by powertrain. China supplied 73 per cent of New Zealand’s BEV imports by value, while Japan accounted for 63 per cent of hybrid imports.
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