Govt backs off EV push as fires, crashes and bans fuel public unease

The government has slashed New Zealand’s clean car standard by 80 percent, cancelling an estimated $265 million in penalties on higher-emission “ordinary” cars.

Transport Minister Chris Bishop said, “the bottom’s fallen out of the EV market,” as importers face both low demand and tight supply.

Safety concerns now dominate public discussion. Officials stress that EV fires remain rare, but the cluster of incidents, the lack of clear public reporting, and the practical challenges of managing large battery fires have all contributed to falling confidence in the EV market and a political pivot back toward conventional vehicles.

A North Shore retirement village, Fairview, has moved to ban new electric vehicles after residents were briefed on perceived fire risks.

In October, 28 cars burned at Whangārei Hospital after dry grass ignited on a hot exhaust, but speculation immediately blamed an EV. Days later, a petrol car collided with an electric bus on Auckland’s Tamaki Drive, killing the bus driver. Fire and Emergency say the fire began in the petrol vehicle and the bus batteries were intact, though no full incident report has yet been released.

A second Auckland Transport electric bus then caught fire after hitting an overpass, producing another wave of speculation.

Fire and Emergency has also launched a national warning campaign about cheap lithium batteries in devices such as e-bikes, noting the potential for “violent fire in seconds” when incorrect chargers or components are used.

Centrist Ltd.