Reference
Last updated: May 2026
Road user charges (RUC) are how New Zealand charges diesel and electric vehicles for using the roads, since they pay little or no fuel excise duty. You pre-pay for distance in units of 1,000 km. Light electric vehicles became liable for RUC from 1 April 2024. The rates below are the standard light-vehicle rates; heavier vehicles pay more based on weight and type.
RUC Calculator Fuel Cost Calculator EV Charging Cost| Vehicle type | Rate per 1,000 km | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Light diesel vehicle (under 3.5 tonnes) | $76 | Standard powered light vehicle rate |
| Battery electric vehicle (EV) | $76 | Liable for RUC from 1 April 2024 |
| Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) | $38 | Lower rate because PHEVs also pay fuel excise on the petrol they use |
| Petrol vehicle | Not applicable | Pays fuel excise duty at the pump instead |
| How you buy | Fee per transaction |
|---|---|
| Online | $12.44 (incl GST) |
| Through an NZTA agent | $13.71 (incl GST) |
You buy RUC licences in advance for blocks of distance. A hubodometer or the vehicle's odometer records distance travelled, and you must keep your purchased distance ahead of your actual distance. If you sell the vehicle or it is used off-road, you may be able to claim a refund for unused or off-road distance. The government has signalled a longer-term plan to move all vehicles, including petrol, onto electronic RUC and away from fuel excise.
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