The New Zealand Government has now introduced the Clean Car Discount scheme with the aim to reduce transport emissions to help meet the country’s 2050 carbon neutral target. This will consist of rebates and fees for new and used eligible vehicles the first time they are registered in New Zealand, based on CO2 emissions.

If you choose to purchase a zero or low-emission vehicle, you may be eligible for a rebate. The lower the emissions the greater the rebate. Fees will also be imposed on vehicles with higher emissions in recognition of the increased environmental and economic costs they are imposing. Vehicles with moderate emissions will not incur a fee and may even be eligible for a rebate.

A full overview of this scheme can be found in the NZTA website.

Overview on NZTA website
Apply for a clean car rebate
Govt clean car discount

Clean Car Discount

The below vehicles will qualify for the clear car rebate;

Low emission vehicles with a maximum purchase price of $80,000 (incl GST and ORC’s) are eligible.

For battery electric vehicles, there will be rebates of up to $8625 for new vehicles, and up to $3450 for used vehicles.

For plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, there will be rebates of up to $5750 for new vehicles, and up to $2300 for used vehicles.

The rebate is payable only to the first person registered to the vehicle (regardless of ownership), unless the first person registered is a:

a. Registered motor vehicle trader
b. Lessee of the vehicle

For full and up to date information on eligibility, please refer to Waka Kotahi guidelines:

Waka Kotahi guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility criteria is set out in further detail 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: 1 July 2021 and 31 March 2022; or from 1 April 2022. Vehicle eligibility for each time period is set out in greater detail in the links above.
  • 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).
View eligibility criteria

How to apply

If you wish to apply for a rebate, you must complete the online application form, including reading and agreeing to the terms and conditions, which can be found below. 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.

View terms and conditions:

Terms and conditions

Vehicles that are Exempt from the Clean Car Programme

  1. Special interest vehicles
  2. Vehicles 40 years or older when they enter New Zealand
  3. Motor sport vehicles
  4. Low-volume vehicles (incl. disability vehicles)

For full and up to date information on eligibility, please refer to Waka Kotahi guidelines:

Waka Kotahi guidelines

Got a question?

If you have any questions about how the clean car programme works, you can find all the necessary information in the NZTA website. Click below to find out more.

NZTA Questions & Answers

Please note:

  1. The above figures for rebates and fees are indicative only.
  2. 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.
  3. If rebate funds are exhausted at any given time, no rebate will be paid. Once the scheme restarts, only vehicles registered from the restart date that meet the eligibility requirements will qualify for a rebate.
  4. 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.
  5. The Clean Car Discount scheme is not administered by any Ebbett dealerships. 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 Discount scheme.
  6. 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.
  7. New Zealand Government Clean Car rebates / fees values stated should be taken as guidance only and may be subject to change without notice. Demonstrator vehicle pricing may be affected by rebates and fees, please contact our dealership for further information.