Nearly all electric vehicle owners in New Zealand say they would buy another EV, according to new research from Consumer NZ.
The organisation’s latest car reliability and satisfaction survey found that 96 per cent of EV owners would choose another electric vehicle when purchasing their next car.
Survey highlights changing preferences
The findings are based on responses from 5,791 members and supporters of Consumer NZ, surveyed in November and December 2025.
According to Jon Duffy, the survey examined car owners’ experiences across different engine types, as well as brand performance, reliability, and overall satisfaction.
“This survey canvassed car owner experiences, providing insights into preferred engines, brand performance, reliability and overall owner satisfaction,” Duffy said.
Electrified vehicles gaining ground
Petrol vehicles still dominate the country’s vehicle fleet, accounting for 59 per cent of the cars owned by survey respondents.
However, electrified vehicles are becoming more common. The share of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in the survey rose from 12 per cent in 2023 to 17 per cent in 2025, while hybrid ownership increased from 10 per cent to 15 per cent over the same period.
Duffy said the results point to a gradual shift toward electrified transport.
“This indicates a gradual but growing shift towards going electric on our roads,” he said.
Running costs key motivation
Lower operating costs remain a major factor encouraging drivers to adopt EVs.
More than half of EV owners said they switched to electric vehicles expecting reduced running costs, while 81 per cent reported their operating costs were significantly lower than those of their previous vehicles.
Environmental considerations were also cited as an important motivation for choosing electric vehicles.
Energy savings opportunities
The survey also suggested some EV owners may be missing opportunities to lower their electricity costs.
Despite the additional power use associated with vehicle charging, 29 per cent of EV owners said they remained on the same electricity plan after purchasing their EV.
Duffy said reviewing energy plans could help drivers reduce overall household power bills.
Safety technology preferences
Consumer NZ’s research also examined driver attitudes toward vehicle safety features.
Reversing cameras and parking sensors were rated as the most valued safety technologies by respondents. Meanwhile, lane-keeping assist technology was considered the most annoying.
The results also contribute to Consumer NZ’s annual People’s Choice awards, which assess vehicle reliability, owner satisfaction, and maintenance and repair costs.
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