Curious how much you could save by switching to an electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV)? Not sure how charging works or what it could mean for your power bill? We’ve got the latest info right here—straight from the JMW Electrical team—to help you make a smart decision for your home, wallet, and the environment.
What Is an Electric Vehicle?
Electric cars (aka EVs) are vehicles powered by electricity instead of petrol or diesel. And in 2025, they’re more common—and more affordable—than ever.
In New Zealand, there are two main types of electric vehicles available:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): These run entirely on electricity, using a rechargeable battery. No fuel, no tailpipe, no emissions. You plug them in to charge at home or at a public charging station.
- Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): These have both an electric motor and a petrol/diesel engine. You can drive short distances (usually 40–60 km) using just the electric battery. When that runs low, the fuel engine kicks in automatically. Perfect for those who want electric for the everyday but need the range for the occasional long trip.
There are also standard hybrids (like the Toyota Prius) that don’t plug in. These recharge themselves through braking and engine power—but since they rely mostly on fuel, they’re not technically classified as EVs.
What Are the Benefits of Driving Electric?
Lower Running Costs
EVs are still way cheaper to run than petrol cars—even with Road User Charges (RUCs) introduced in 2024.
- BEVs cost around $4.50 per 100 km to charge at home.
- PHEVs can cost even less if most of your trips are electric-only.
- In comparison, a petrol car will cost you around $20–$25 per 100 km at 2025 fuel prices.
If you drive the NZ average of 12,500 km per year, a BEV might cost around $550 in charging, while a petrol car could set you back $2,500–$3,000.
Kinder to the Environment
New Zealand’s power grid is over 80% renewable, so EVs here are much cleaner than in many other countries. Over their lifetime, battery electric vehicles generate up to 60–80% fewer emissions than petrol vehicles.
Even PHEVs help reduce emissions—especially if you’re using battery power for most daily driving.
Less Maintenance
BEVs have fewer moving parts than petrol or diesel cars. No oil changes, no spark plugs, no fuel systems. Fewer parts = fewer things to break = lower maintenance costs.
Most EV owners just need to keep an eye on brakes, tyres, and battery health. (And those batteries? They’re usually covered under warranty for 8 years or more.)
Smooth and Silent
EVs accelerate quickly and smoothly. With no gears to work through, you get instant torque as soon as you press the pedal. Plus, they’re whisper-quiet—making them a dream to drive once you get used to the silence.
Will an EV Send My Power Bill Through the Roof?
We get this question a lot—and the answer is no. In fact, charging your EV at home is still miles cheaper than filling up at the pump.
- Charging a BEV to travel 100 km costs around $2.50–$4.50, depending on your power plan.
- On night rates or off-peak charging? Even cheaper.
- Charging a PHEV typically costs $1–$2 per full charge, and that often covers your whole day’s driving.
If you're looking at installing a wall-mounted home charger, the cost is usually around $1,000–$1,500 plus installation. It makes overnight charging faster and more efficient.
What About Public Charging?
NZ’s EV charging network continues to grow, especially in cities, malls, supermarkets, and along major roads. While most public chargers now charge a fee (pun intended!), it’s still affordable:
- Fast chargers: Usually priced at $0.25–$0.40 per minute.
- Regular chargers: Often priced per kWh, similar to home charging.
There are fewer free charging spots these days, but some retailers and car parks still offer them as an incentive.
What’s Changed in 2025?
- The Clean Car Discount ended in late 2023, so there are no longer government rebates on EV purchases.
- Road User Charges (RUCs) now apply to BEVs and PHEVs, but they’re still cheaper to run than petrol vehicles overall:
- BEVs: $76 per 1,000 km
- PHEVs: $38 per 1,000 km
- The government is focused on expanding public chargers, aiming for 10,000+ stations by 2030.
- A wider range of affordable new and used EVs and PHEVs are now available in NZ, making the switch easier for all budgets.
Should You Make the Switch?
Here’s the short version:
- Go BEV if you want zero emissions, low running costs, and mostly drive in town or have regular access to charging.
- Go PHEV if you want the benefits of electric driving but also need fuel backup for longer trips or rural driving.
- Either way, you’ll be driving cheaper, cleaner, and smarter.
And when you’re ready to install a home charger or talk about your power setup, JMW Electrical is here to help.
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