A change in government could signal the end of the Clean Car rebate that was designed to make low emission vehicles more affordable.
So how effective has the Clean Car Discount scheme been? And what could happen if it's scrapped?
The scheme came into effect in 2021. It was designed to give buyers of low emission cars discounts, while buyers of newly registered higher emission cars faced a fee. But both National and ACT plan to scrap it if they make it into government.
Data 1News pulled from the Waka Kotahi database shows there has been a steady increase in electric-powered vehicles being registered here for the first time, their percentage share peaking in September this year at 42.3 per cent of all cars.
In comparison, while higher-emission vehicles still made up the greatest proportion, they were at a record low 57.7 per cent of the overall market last month.
But the Motor Trade Association's chief executive Lee Marshall says it's the organisation's view the uptick in electric cars would likely have happened, rebate or not.
"There's probably almost no doubt that it did make a little bit of difference," he said. "But if you look at what's happening globally, the uptake of EVs is happening dramatically in every developed country. The main reason being the manufacturers of the world have decided that's the future."
He would rather the money spent on the rebate goes towards increasing electric vehicle infrastructure nationwide, instead of giving around $8000 in rebates to cars worth around $70,000.
"People spending at that level, it's just not enough to move the needle," he said. "
But electric car enthusiasts like Better NZ Trust's Kathyrn Trounson see the uptick in EVs being registered here as a sign the scheme is working to incentivise people into buying electric-powered cars.
Her own decision to go electric is saving the Coatesville local what could otherwise be a hefty petrol bill each week.
"It's helped both myself and my husband to feel that we are trying very hard to reduce our carbon footprint."
Though she hopes rebate or not, people will continue to consider the environment when it comes to purchasing their next car.
"The biggest incentive should really be those people who have children and grandchildren. They should worry about the state of the environment that they may be leaving."
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