Fuel crisis sees influx in Kiwi interest in EVs, hybrids

BYD NZ has seen a spike in sales of EVs, like the Atto 1 (left) and Atto 2. Photo: BYD

With high fuel prices due to the Middle East conflict, it was a certainty that EV brands in New Zealand would garner interest, and one brand had the equivalent of a sale every six minutes on Saturday.

BYD New Zealand recorded a major upswing in demand, selling 80 new vehicles on Saturday, equivalent to one vehicle every six minutes during trading hours. 

Around the country, there has been a spike in searches for EVs, with dealers in Auckland and Christchurch reported EV sales jumps of 30% to 50% this month compared to February 2026.

The seven-seater hybrid Chery Tiggo 8 has also been a big seller. Photo: Liz Dobson

There has also been an increase in interest of the super hybrid vehicles, especially the seven-deater, Chery Atto 8. At the brand’s Greenlane, Auckland branch, there were three new customers picking up their Atto 8 on Friday, with the dealership expecting an influx in people interested in its Chinese brand.

The high sales for BYD NZ was reinforced by the Chinese brand awarded the Consumer NZ People’s Choice Award for 2026, as New  Zealand’s most trusted automotive brand. 

BYD New Zealand General Manager, Warren Willmot attributes the surge to two main forces: rapidly  rising fuel prices influenced by geopolitical conflict in the Middle East, and BYD’s expanded 2026 model  lineup. 

BYD NZ was awarded the Consumer NZ People’s Choice Award for 2026.

“Kiwis are clearly voting with their wallets,” says Willmot.

“Higher petrol prices are pushing people to  reconsider the cost of driving, and BYD’s five new models — ATTO 1, ATTO 2, Sealion 5, Sealion 8, and  the Cab Chassis Shark — are giving customers more choice, more value, and more reasons to go  electric.” 

Following the weekend’s record results, BYD New Zealand has fully allocated all in-country and arriving March stock to its dealer network. 

Vehicles remain available for immediate delivery, but some colours and configurations are already sold out for the next one to two months. 

The BYD Atto 1is one of the cheapest EVs in New Zealand. Photo: BYD

“We expected strong interest, but this level of demand has exceeded even our most optimistic forecasts,” Willmot says. 

“If you’re thinking about going electric and saving on fuel, now really is the  time — stock is still available, but it’s moving quickly.” 

To meet demand, BYD New Zealand will increase its next shipment, arriving in June, ensuring greater  availability across winter.