NZ Govt. Clean Car Programme
The Clean Car programme consists of rebates and fees for new and used eligible vehicles the first time they are registered in New Zealand, based on CO2 emissions.
From 1 July 2023 the NZ Govt. Clean Car programme will change. These changes are to ensure fees generate enough revenue to fund the scheme’s rebates and administration costs.
Please see a summary of the main changes below.
Changes from 1 July 2023
Summary of changes to rebates
Vehicle type/description | What's changing |
|---|---|
Zero emission vehicles (EVs) | For new models, the rebate will reduce from $8,625 to $7,015. |
Low emission vehicles | The threshold at which low emission vehicles will be eligible for a rebate will change from 146 g CO2/km to 100 g CO2/km. |
Zero band range vehicles | Some vehicles won’t be eligible for a rebate or incur a fee. The zero band range will be 101 – 149 (g CO2/km), down from 147 – 191. |
Rebates rates for new vehicles | The rebate rate per gram of CO2 in the range of 60 – 100 will be $57.50. The current rate is $51.55. The maximum rebate will decrease from $5,750 to $4,025. |
Disability vehicles* | A special rebate for new and used low emission disability vehicles will be introduced: $11,500 for a battery electric vehicle, and $5,750 for hybrids. *Disability vehicles are vehicles modified to carry people seated in wheelchairs or which have swivel seats for easier entry/exit. These vehicles must be certified as disability vehicles and be first registered in New Zealand. |
Zero emission vehicles (EVs)
Low emission vehicles
Zero band range vehicles
Rebates rates for new vehicles
Disability vehicles*
Summary of changes to fees
Carbon emissions (g CO2/km) | New vehicles |
|---|---|
150 - 259 | The fee rate per gram will change from $58.00 to $57.50. |
260 or more | The maximum fee will increase from $5,175 to $6,900. |
150 - 259
260 or more
New vehicles
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility criteria are detailed in the Land Transport Act 1998 and any regulations made under that Act.
In short, the following eligibility criteria must be met:
- The vehicle must be registered for the first time in New Zealand between from 1 July 2023.
- The vehicle must have a safety rating of 3 stars or more on the Rightcar website at the time of registration: www.rightcar.govt.nz.
- The vehicle must have been purchased for less than $80,000 (New Zealand dollars), including GST and on‑road costs (the purchase price).
- The rebate is payable only to the first person registered to the vehicle (regardless of ownership), unless the first person registered is a registered motor vehicle trader (ie the Dealer you purchase the vehicle from).
How to Apply
If you wish to apply for a rebate, you must complete the online application form on the NZTA site, including reading and agreeing to the terms and conditions, which can be found here.
In completing the application you will be required to provide the following supporting documentation:
- a copy of the vehicle offer and sale agreement (or such alternative documentation as Waka Kotahi deems necessary in the circumstances);
- proof of the registered person's bank account;
- GST number if the vehicle is being used for business purposes.
Rebates Available
The rebate available to you will depend on the type of vehicle you have purchased and the time at which the vehicle is registered.
The following are the indicative rebates:
For vehicles purchased from 1 July 2023
From 1 July 2023 | New vehicle |
|---|---|
Battery electric vehicle | $7,015 |
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicle | $4,025 |
New vehicle
Please read
Note that Rebate applications for vehicles registered between 1 July 2021 and 31 March 2022 that meet the eligibility criteria will only be accepted until 31 May 2024 (if funding permits).
Vehicle carbon emissions | New vehicle |
|---|---|
0 (zero emissions) | $7,015 |
1 to 56 | $5,750 |
57 to 146 | $8,625 less (emissions X $50 X 130/145) |
0 (zero emissions)
1 to 56
57 to 146
All figures are inclusive of GST and the final amount of rebate paid will include GST.
Fees
The NZ Govt. Clean Car Programme will also see vehicles which emit higher rates of CO2 subject to fees.
The person who registers, for the first time, any new or used vehicle with carbon dioxide emissions of 192 grams or more per kilometre must pay the fee calculated pursuant to the formula set out under regulation 7 of the Land Transport (Clean Vehicle Discount Programme Charges) Regulations 2022.
Please note:
- The above figures for rebates and fees are indicative only.
- Where we have indicated the dollar value of a rebate or fee for a vehicle elsewhere on our website or in our marketing materials, that figure is indicative only.
- If rebate funds are exhausted at any given time, no rebate will be paid. Once the Programme restarts, only vehicles registered from the restart date that meet the eligibility requirements will qualify for a rebate.
- While we do our best to make sure that information available on this page is accurate and free from errors, we do not guarantee its accuracy.
- The NZ Govt. Clean Car Programme is not administered by the Giltrap Group. We do not accept liability for any loss or damage which may result either directly or indirectly from reliance by you upon the accuracy or currency of information contained on this page or any information published by any third party (such as Waka Kotahi) about the Clean Car Programme.
- This page contain links to other websites (“Linked Websites”). As the content and maintenance of Linked Websites is out of our control, please be aware that we are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those websites. Links on this page to Linked Sites do not necessarily endorse those Linked Sites.
