Clean Car Programme

The NZ Govt. Clean Car Programme encourages the purchase of zero and low emission light vehicles by reducing the cost of eligible new and used vehicles coming into New Zealand and putting a fee on high emission vehicles from 1 April 2022.

From 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022 a rebate is available for eligible electric vehicles (EV) and plug-in electric vehicles (PHEV) registered in New Zealand for the first time.

For vehicles first registered in New Zealand from 1 April 2022, fees and rebates will be applied according to the CO2 emission of vehicles. The higher the CO2 emission value the greater the fee in recognition of the increased environmental and economic costs they are imposing. The lower the CO2 emission value the greater the rebate.

The Government is accelerating the response to climate change to achieve a carbon neutral target for New Zealand by 2050. The NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount aims to help bring down transport emissions by making the purchase of zero and low-CO2 emission vehicles more affordable.

If first registered after 1 April 2022, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) rebates for individual vehicles will vary according to their CO2 emission value.

Visit the eligibility criteria page.

Yes, to apply for a rebate you must be the first registered person for the vehicle (exception is a vehicle registered to a lessee by a lease company (lessor).

Information on how to apply for an NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate

The fee is paid to Waka Kotahi via the dealership selling the vehicle, at the time of registration. A vehicle will not be registered until payment has been made.