The Government's scheme for discounts for electric cars comes with a couple of fishhooks: it only applies to newly imported cars, and if the funding runs out the rebates scheme will be paused and cars bought during the pause will not qualify for a rebate. The scheme is designed so rebates on electric cars are funded from fees paid by people buying petrol cars. It provides for rebates of $8625 for a new electric car and $3450 for a used imported electric car. While there are rebates for both new and used electric cars, they only apply to newly imported cars which are registered after July 1. It was aimed at lifting the use of electric cars in New Zealand, which Wood said was well behind other countries.

Source: New Zealand Herald June 13, 2021 01:41 UTC