Reference

NZ Clean Car Standard and Fees 2026

Last updated: May 2026

Ended

Clean Car Discount (31 Dec 2023)

Continues

Clean Car Standard (importers)

EV Buyer Rebate Now

New Zealand's "Clean Car" programme has two parts that people often confuse. The Clean Car Discount, which gave rebates on low-emission vehicles and charged fees on high-emission ones, ended on 31 December 2023. The Clean Car Standard, a CO2 standard that applies to vehicle importers, continues. This page explains where things stand for buyers in 2026.

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The Two Schemes

Scheme	Status	What it does
Clean Car Discount	Ended 31 December 2023	Previously paid rebates on EVs and low-emission cars, and charged fees on high-emission cars at first registration. No longer applies.
Clean Car Standard	Continues	Sets an annual average CO2 target that vehicle importers must meet across the vehicles they bring in, with charges or credits for importers. Affects the supply and pricing of vehicles, not a direct buyer rebate or fee.

Source: NZTA - Clean Car programme

What This Means for Buyers in 2026

Question	Answer
Is there a rebate for buying an EV?	No. The buyer rebate ended on 31 December 2023.
Is there a fee for buying a high-emission car?	No direct first-registration fee under the discontinued discount.
Do EVs pay road user charges?	Yes, from 1 April 2024. See our RUC reference.
Does the Clean Car Standard affect prices?	Indirectly, through what importers choose to bring in and how they price across their range.

For the running-cost comparison that now matters most, weigh the lower per-kilometre energy cost of an EV against road user charges and the purchase price. Our EV and fuel calculators help with that.

Source: NZTA - Clean Car Standard. Policy in this area has changed several times; check NZTA for the current rules.

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