FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the NZ Govt. Clean Car Scheme / Discount?
The NZ Govt. Clean Car Scheme 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.
Are there two different programmes?
Yes. The initial NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount and now a revised NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount Scheme.
The NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount applied for vehicles first registered between 1st July 2021 – 31 March 2022 and offered a rebate payable for light electric vehicles if specific criteria were met. Rebate eligibility criteria for vehicles first registered between 1 July 2021 and 31 March 2022.
The new NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount scheme consists of rebates and fees for new and used eligible vehicles the first time they’re registered in New Zealand, based on CO2 emissions. Rebate eligibility criteria for vehicles first registered from 1 April 2022.
Why has the NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount been introduced?
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.
What does this mean for my car purchase?
From 1 April 2022, the NZ Govt. Clean Car Scheme will consist of rebates and fees for new and used eligible vehicles the first time they are registered in New Zealand, based on CO2 emissions.
The higher the CO2 emissions, the greater the fee in recognition of the increased environmental and economic costs they are imposing.
Buyers choosing zero or low-emission vehicles may be eligible for a rebate. The lower the emissions the greater the rebate. Vehicles with moderate emissions will not incur a fee or be eligible for a rebate.
Can I still apply for a rebate for a vehicle registered during the original NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount period?
Rebate applications for vehicles registered between 1 July 2021 and 31 March 2022 that meet the eligibility criteria will be accepted until 31 May 2022 (if funding permits).
Apply for an NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate.
Do I have to apply for the rebate myself?
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
How is the fee paid/collected?
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.
What are the eligibility criteria for an NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate?
Visit the eligibility criteria page.
Is there a minimum safety rating required to be eligible for a NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate?
Yes, a vehicle must have a safety rating of 3 stars or more on the Rightcar website at the time of registration: www.rightcar.govt.nz.
Is there a maximum purchase price to be eligible for a NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate? Yes, a vehicle must have been purchased for less than $80,000 (New Zealand dollars), including GST and on-road costs (the purchase price).
Vehicle eligibility requirements
Does the NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount apply to all fuel-efficient vehicles?
From 1 July 2021 to 31 March 2022 the NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate is available to eligible new and used light electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) only. From 1 April 2022 other low emission vehicles may be eligible for a rebate based on their CO2 emissions.
Will the NZ Govt. Clean Car rebate fund run out?
The NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount fund for rebates is not expected to run out. Fees incurred after 1 April 2022 by purchasers of imported vehicles the first time they are registered in New Zealand with high CO2 emissions are expected to fund zero and low emission vehicle rebates. In this way the scheme is intended to be cost neutral. However, if funds are exhausted at any given time, rebates will not be paid out. Once the rebate scheme restarts, only vehicles registered from the restart date that meet the eligibility requirements will qualify for a rebate.
Who administers the scheme?
Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency administers the NZ Govt. Clean Car Discount programme.
Are any vehicles exempt from the NZ Govt. Clean Car fee or rebate?
Yes. Disability vehicles are exempt from fees, but not rebates. Disability vehicles are defined as a light vehicle that is used for the transportation of a person with a disability and is modified to do either or both of the following:
• enable a person in a wheelchair to safely enter and exit the vehicle and enable the person and the wheelchair to be safely restrained while the vehicle is moving
• provide a person in a wheelchair or of limited mobility with assistance to enter and exit the vehicle through the use of a swivel or swing-out seat
Will the rebate for an eligible plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) change after 1 April?
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.
If you have any further questions that are not answered here, check out the NZTA Clean car questions and answers page.
