Costs to consider when buying an EV

When looking into the cost of an EV or any car, it’s important to consider not just the initial cost of the vehicle, but also the long-term costs to run and maintain.

Learn more about each of these costs before buying your dream EV.

Electric Car Prices

The price of an EV and the budget you have is the first thing you should consider before buying.

Cost To Charge An EV

Charging your EV can depend on the situation: Are you on the road and need a quick charge, or are you at home for the night?

Maintenance Costs

Like all things, EVs need to be maintained if they’re to stay in good shape for the long term.

The cost of an EV can range depending on the brand and type that makes the most sense for you. Hybrids prices are generally on the lower range, with the average cost of a Kia Niro Hev LX starting at $40,990. Plug-in hybrids come at a slightly higher price with the Kia Niro Phev LX costing $55,990, with fully electric vehicles having the largest price tag $77,990 for the Kia Niro Bex EX. Check our chart below for some of the finer details on each type.

*Prices as at 8 April, based on petrol prices of $2.75 per litre, Electricity 17c per kWh, travelling 20,000 km per year

Charging on the road

ChargeNet has New Zealand's largest EV charging network. Charges vary based on charge point speed, all costs can be found here.

Charging at home

Owners of electric vehicles say they love plugging in their car at the end of the day instead of visiting a petrol station. You can get by with a standard power point, but you'll get faster charging with a wall-mounted charger.

When looking into the cost of an EV or any car, it's important to consider not just the initial cost of the vehicle but how much it costs to run and maintain it. Once familiar with all costs, the next step is to get yourself familiar with the pros and cons of today's EVs.

Government rebate on electric cars

The government is currently offering up to $8,625 rebate for qualifying new electric vehicles in New Zealand and up to $3,450 for used vehicles. Check with NZTA to find out if your car will qualify for the Clean Car Discount.