As the Middle East crisis continues to push petrol prices up for New Zealanders, new data released from Evnex has revealed that the average electric vehicle driver saves $2,364 in fuel costs compared to a petrol car, every single year.

New Zealand's leading smart EV charger manufacturer says that saving adds up to $34,987.20 over the average age of a New Zealand vehicle, which is 14.8 years.

Evnex's data is drawn from its network of 9,000 chargers throughout New Zealand.

It shows that charging an EV at home costs just $380 per year on average, compared to approximately $2,744 for petrol.*

Put another way, a full year of EV charging costs less than eight weeks of filling up at the pump.

"Most people know EVs are cheaper to run, but very few realise quite how dramatic the gap is," says Ed Harvey, CEO of Evnex.

"When you break it down, the average EV owner is spending $7.30 a week on charging – barely more than an almond latte. The idea that you can power your EV for a year for the same amount of money that a petrol driver spends in under two months is pretty staggering."

The figures put EV running costs on par with common household appliances. At $380 per year, charging an electric vehicle costs roughly the same as running two extra fridges in the home.

Harvey says the data reflects real-world charging behaviour, not theoretical estimates.

"This isn't modelled on lab conditions or manufacturer claims. It's actual data from New Zealand homes, reflecting how people really charge their cars day to day," says Harvey.

"With more than 80 percent of New Zealand's electricity coming from renewable sources, this isn't just a cost story – it's an environmental one too. Every EV charged at home here is running on some of the cleanest grid energy in the world."

New Zealand currently has more than 135,000 registered plug-in electric vehicles, making up around 2.8 percent of the total vehicle fleet.

Despite the scrapping of the Clean Car Discount in December 2023, EV registrations have stabilised, with plug-in vehicles accounting for around 11 percent of new car sales in 2025.

According to Ministry of Transport data, the average age of a light vehicle in New Zealand is 14.8 years – among the oldest fleets in the developed world.

At a saving of $2,364 per year, EV drivers can save $35,000 in fuel costs over the average life of their vehicle compared to petrol.

"The cost-of-living conversation right now is real, and transport is one of the biggest household expenses," Harvey says.

"Petrol prices are rising significantly due to the Middle East crisis, and in the long term, we all know petrol prices only go one way: up."

"A saving of more than $2,000 a year is significant for any family. Over the life of a car in New Zealand, that's enough for a decent deposit on your next vehicle – saved just on fuel."

ENDS

* Note that the figure for petrol cost was calculated at a 2024 figure of $2.69 per litre so would be significantly higher today.

About Evnex:

Evnex is a New Zealand manufacturer which has been at the forefront of the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure revolution for more than a decade. Specialising in smart and efficient charging solutions, Evnex is dedicated to empowering the widespread adoption of electric vehicles by addressing crucial aspects of charging infrastructure.

At the heart of Evnex's offerings is its cutting-edge EV charging management platform, which enables seamless integration, monitoring, and control of charging stations. The advanced technology empowers Evnex customers to make informed decisions, maximise resource utilisation, and reduce their carbon footprint.

Evnex's vision is to create a future where every journey is powered by clean and affordable energy. Evnex is based in Sydney and Christchurch, New Zealand.