EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › EV (electric vehicle) News and Discussion

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#3432233 8-Nov-2025 18:47

gzt:
HarmLessSolutions: Overall the RUC system will then put all vehicles' running costs on a level playing field.

Hybrids will continue to use less fuel than ICE. On a per litre running cost basis the hybrid advantage over ICE will remain.

Agree, but the per km running cost advantage will dilute significantly.

Currently our EVs' 'fuel' costs around 3.5c/km (based on offpeak supply or solar FIT rates). Add to that 7.6c/km RUCs, makes our running ~11c/km.

How cheaply can a run at petrol pump prices? Add 7.6c/km to that for total up front running cost. Then add the maintenance costs for its ICE.

Also the petrol taxation model will likely change when FET is removed with a carbon tax of some type added to disincentivise high consumption vehicles so don't budget on petrol dropping by the 80.5c/L (incl GST) that currently parallels RUC.

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gzt

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#3432644 10-Nov-2025 10:13

Hybrids served the purpose of giving their owners confidence to drive distances that BEVs weren't capable of on a single charge.

I don't think so. Instead hybrids may have built confidence in long life high mileage battery technology. For example in NZ the hybrid Prius used extensively as taxis followed by wider consumer adoption. I think your point is more relevant to plug in hybrid PHEVs.

Many new plugin hybrid PHEVs in NZ now have 100km electric range and excellent warranty. For transition purposes that covers weekly commuting and running around for the majority in NZ and remains useful with petrol as a weekend journey vehicle.

The ruc charging for PHEV while annoying is lower than EV and works out kind of ok for a mix of ev commuting and weekend petrol journeying.

fastbike

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#3432859 10-Nov-2025 16:49

The ruc charging for PHEV while annoying is lower than EV and works out kind of ok for a mix of ev commuting and weekend petrol journeying.

At the moment, when RUC are introduced across the fleet there will be no cut price RUC for plug in hybrids so much of their advantage will rush out the window,

Otautahi Christchurch

exador

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#3432865 10-Nov-2025 17:23

Honda Super-One confirmed for New Zealand 😍

Honda Super-ONE EV coming to NZ in 2026 - NZ Autocar

2026 Honda Super-One review: International quick drive

Would be the perfect city runabout if they can get the price right, i.e. around the same as the Fiat 500e...

gzt

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#3432921 10-Nov-2025 17:37

fastbike: when RUC are introduced across the fleet there will be no cut price RUC for plug in hybrids so much of their advantage will rush out the window,

The advantage I spoke of as the reason for buying will remain. That is, plug-in hybrid PHEV's will continue to provide EV range for commuting and a conventional petrol tank for longer journeying when needed. That does not change.

If you're doing a particular mix of EV commuting and petrol journeying you might even pay less when the petrol price is adjusted down to remove the tax that will be paid instead as ruc road user charges.

gzt

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#3432927 10-Nov-2025 17:52

But yeah the point you're making is you can buy a brand new plugin hybrid PHEV today with 100km EV range and if you manage to run it in electric only mode and never use any petrol you have a 20c per kilometer cost advantage over buying a pure EV.

Also PHEVs tend to be slightly cheaper to get into related to battery size compared to pure EV and eliminates range anxiety.

As I said, it's a great transition vehicle for getting used to an EV and providing both electric and petrol options. The current ruc pricing advantage is just some icing on the cake if you can afford a new PHEV vehicle with this kind of range.

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fastbike

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#3433046 10-Nov-2025 20:10

gzt:
fastbike: when RUC are introduced across the fleet there will be no cut price RUC for plug in hybrids so much of their advantage will rush out the window,

The advantage I spoke of as the reason for buying will remain. That is, plug-in hybrid PHEV's will continue to provide EV range for commuting and a conventional petrol tank for longer journeying when needed. That does not change.

If you're doing a particular mix of EV commuting and petrol journeying you might even pay less when the petrol price is adjusted down to remove the tax that will be paid instead as ruc road user charges.

Unlikely - the govt have announced $50B of roading infrastructure - you will be paying for this decision so don't expect RUC to be as low as 7.6c/km.

Otautahi Christchurch

HarmLessSolutions

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#3433048 10-Nov-2025 20:20

fastbike:

gzt:
The advantage I spoke of as the reason for buying will remain. That is, plug-in hybrid PHEV's will continue to provide EV range for commuting and a conventional petrol tank for longer journeying when needed. That does not change.

If you're doing a particular mix of EV commuting and petrol journeying you might even pay less when the petrol price is adjusted down to remove the tax that will be paid instead as ruc road user charges.

Unlikely - the govt have announced $50B of roading infrastructure - you will be paying for this decision so don't expect RUC to be as low as 7.6c/km.

The government are also planning on being reelected next year. Raising RUCs across the board will be a kiss of death in that regard. Levying them on all vehicles is going to be damaging enough by itself.

https://www.harmlesssolutions.co.nz/

gzt

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#3433050 10-Nov-2025 20:26

fastbike: Unlikely - the govt have announced $50B of roading infrastructure - you will be paying for this decision so don't expect RUC to be as low as 7.6c/km.

Fair enough comment. As the other poster pointed out the intention of the new regime expected in a year or two is that all vehicles will be charged the same regardless of motive power. There just happens to be an additional minor advantage until then if your new PHEV vehicle covers your daily driving in electric only mode, until then.

gzt

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#3433052 10-Nov-2025 20:52

HarmLessSolutions: The government are also planning on being reelected next year. Raising RUCs across the board will be a kiss of death in that regard. Levying them on all vehicles is going to be damaging enough by itself.

The government will get a headline reduction in fuel cost per liter and larger petrol vehicles will be cheaper to run as a result. I think it's likely they'll come up with some formula that suits them and manages the political risks.

gzt

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#3433053 10-Nov-2025 20:57

I assume they won't add demerits and cancel a licence for non-payment - so it won't affect employment and things like that. It is almost certainly going to create debt stress and associated collections imo, and yet another reason to get a ticket. I'll stop myself there because the rest will belong in the politics thread.

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HarmLessSolutions

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#3433054 10-Nov-2025 21:01

gzt:
HarmLessSolutions: The government are also planning on being reelected next year. Raising RUCs across the board will be a kiss of death in that regard. Levying them on all vehicles is going to be damaging enough by itself.

The government will get a headline reduction in fuel cost per liter and larger petrol vehicles will be cheaper to run as a result. I think it's likely they'll come up with some formula that suits them and manages the political risks.

I'm torn as to whether they're going to rebalance the emissions issue by offsetting cheaper fuel (with FET tax removed) with added carbon taxation, or continue with their ignorance of climate change implications and pursue votes in the way you suggest. It may be a forlorn hope to think they will grow an environmental conscience by then I'm afraid.

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gzt

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#3433094 11-Nov-2025 07:25

New Toyota Hilux ute announced - it's an EV

InsideEV: The ninth-generation Toyota Hilux is here, and it's electric.
A dual-motor setup provides four-wheel drive without a traditional transfer case.
The 59.2 kWh lithium-ion battery is mounted under the floor, between the chassis rails.

As you might expect - With 59kWh battery Toyota says the new Hilux BEV will be able to go roughly 240 kilometers on a full charge. Toyota provide some of the smallest battery and smallest range on the market while talking up their forever coming soon solid state battery technology. Toyota remains immensely profitable and that is the why and the how. ; )

Handsomedan

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#3433118 11-Nov-2025 08:59

Looking at that Hilux BEV, the wheels look oddly reminiscent of my BYD.

Why to EV's have such god-awful wheels? Can't they just go with a nice, normal design?

How about just making the BEV look like the ICE?
2026 Toyota HiLux revealed with diesel, electric and hydrogen power, due in Australia next month

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Stu

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#3433168 11-Nov-2025 09:26

BEV wheels seem to be part of the low wind resistance design. Helps with overall efficiency.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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