What vehicles will cost under scheme
New Zealand’s favourite gas guzzlers will cost significantly more under new rules, but some in the motor industry say the changes won’t be enough to sway most car buyers.
From January, buyers will have to fork out close to $3000 in new fees for top-selling utes like the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger.
The penalties will be used to fund rebates on a range of electric and lower emission vehicles, including at least one top-of-the-EV-line Tesla and the more modest Nissan Leaf.
According to Nissan, a new Leaf has a starting price of $61,990.
From next month, buyers will be in line for a $8625 rebate, taking the price down to $53,365.
A $8625 rebate on Tesla’s Model 3 Standard Range Plus will cut the price of a new vehicle from $69,990 to $61,365.
On the other side of the scheme, fees will bump up the price of new petrol utes, including New Zealand’s top-selling vehicle, the Ford Ranger.
New Rangers will incur a $2780 fee, pushing the price of the most basic model up to $56,270, while a Nissan Navara will come with a $830 fee and a total purchase price of $42,820.
However, Mitsubishi’s petrol-powered Outlander SUV ($32,990) will scrape through without attracting either a fee or rebate, and the plug-in hybrid model will be $5750 cheaper under the scheme at $49,040.
Motor Trade Association advocacy and strategy manager Greig Epps said although the scheme was a step in the right direction, the rebates might not stimulate the level of demand the Government was hoping for.
‘‘New electric vehicles start at about $48,000 and average about $68,000.
‘‘Whereas, you can get a really good new petrol car for under $30,000.
‘‘The rebate only covers some of that gap. The Government may need to reach a bit deeper into its pockets if it’s expecting Kiwi families to reach into theirs,’’ Epps said.
Compared to other countries, the rebates on offer were far smaller, he said.
In Germany, buyers can receive a subsidy of $15,500 when buying an EV for less than $69,000, while France offers subsidies of up to $12,000 for EVs below $77,600.
Kiwi car buyers would also still need to have enough cash or finance available to buy a vehicle before they could apply for a rebate and that could be a hurdle for many, Epps said.
‘‘While dealers will be happy to help with making applications, perhaps the Government could look at allowing the buyer to access the funds at the time of purchase.
‘‘Or is it possible for the dealer to access the funds on behalf of the buyer?’’