The Clean Car Discount in 2023

3 May, 2023

From 1 July 2023, the new Clean Car Discount takes effect and includes rebates and fees for new and used eligible vehicles the first time they are registered in New Zealand, based on CO₂ emissions.

Buyers choosing zero or low-emission vehicles may qualify for a rebate – The lower the emissions the greater the rebate (see table below). Eligible vehicles with a CO₂ emission value of 150 gms/km or more will incur a fee that is payable at registration. Vehicles with a CO₂ emission value of 100 gms/km or less may be eligible for a rebate (subject to conditions).

Dont wait. Buy Now!

These changes will mostly affect Hybrids, utes and some SUVs. Buy before 1 July 2023 and you could save thousands*.

Find a Dealership

Summary of changes to rebates – 1 July 2023

Vehicle type/description	What’s changing
Zero emission vehicles (EVs)	For new models, the rebate will reduce from $8625 to $7015. For used imports, the rebate will increase from $3450 to $3507.50.
Low emission vehicles	The threshold at which low emission vehicles will be eligible for a rebate will change from 146 g CO₂/km to 100 g CO₂/km.
Zero band range vehicles	Some vehicles won’t be eligible for a rebate or incur a fee. The zero band range will be 101 – 149 (g CO₂/km), down from 147 – 191.
Rebates rates for new vehicles	The rebate rate per gram of CO₂ in the range of 60 – 100 will be $57.50. The current rate is $51.55. The maximum rebate will decrease from $5750 to $4025.
Rebates rates for used vehicles	The rebate rate per gram of CO₂ in the range of 60 – 100 will be $28.75. The current rate is $20.62. The maximum rebate will decrease from $2300 to $2012.50.
Disability vehicles*	A special rebate for new and used low emission disability vehicles will be introduced: $11,500 for a battery electric vehicle, and $5750 for hybrids.

Summary of changes to fees – 1 July 2023

Carbon emissions (g CO₂/km)	New vehicles	Used vehicles
150 – 259	The fee rate per gram will change from $58.00 to $57.50.	The fee rate per gram will change from $43.00 to $28.75.
260 or more	The maximum fee will increase from $5175 to $6900.	The maximum fee will increase from $2875 to $3450.

How to check if a new vehicle is eligible for a rebate or fee**

Vehicle and registered person requirements*:

The vehicle must cost less than $80,000 (including GST and on road charges)
Have a rating of 3 stars or more on the Rightcar website (www.rightcar.co.nz)
It must be registered for the first time in New Zealand from 1 July 2023.
The rebate is payable only to the first person who has registered to the vehicle (regardless of ownership)

* For the latest information visit the NZTA website

Clean Car Rebates

The table below provides a summary of possible rebates available, depending on a cars CO₂ emissions**.

Vehicle carbon emissions (grams)	Used vehicle	New vehicle
0 (zero emissions)	$3450	$7015
1 to 100g/km of CO2	Up to $2012.50	Up to $4025
101 to 149g/km of CO2	No rebate available	No rebate available
150g/km of CO2 or more	A fee may apply	A fee may apply

Note: All figures exclude GST. The final amount of rebate paid will include GST, except for public authorities, which cannot claim the GST. To find the indicative rebate for a specific CO₂ emission visit Rightcar

Clean Car Fees

Fees for high emission vehicles (with a CO₂ emission value of 192 gms/km or more) start on 1 April 2022 and are paid at the time the vehicle is first registered in New Zealand.

What are the Clean Car fees?

The table below provides a summary of possible fees, depending on a cars CO₂ emissions**.

Vehicle carbon emissions* (grams per kilometre)	Used vehicle	New vehicle
150g/km of CO2 or more	From $575 Capped at $3450	From $287.50 Capped at $3450

Note: figures above are exclusive of GST. The fee (including applicable GST) must be paid to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles at the same time as the person pays for the registration of the vehicle.
To find out the indicative fee for a specific model based on CO2 emission visit the Rightcar website.