Electric vehicles are growing in New Zealand, and workshop owners are asking: should I invest in EV servicing capabilities? This guide examines the NZ EV market, what training and equipment you need, and how to evaluate whether EV servicing makes business sense for your workshop.
NZ EVs Registered
119k+
as of end 2024
EV Fleet Share
2.4%
of NZ vehicle fleet
MITO EV Training
$3,121
Level 5 certificate
↓ In this guide
📊 NZ Electric Vehicle Market
Understanding the EV landscape helps you make informed decisions about investing in this capability.
Current State (End of 2024)
- Total EVs registered: ~119,000 (83,800 BEV + 35,200 PHEV)
- Share of total fleet: 2.4% of 4.9 million registered vehicles
- Growth rate: 9.7% fleet growth in 2024 (down from 50%+ during Clean Car Discount)
- New car sales share: 11.2% of new registrations were EVs in 2024
Regional Distribution
EV ownership varies significantly by region:
| Region | EVs per 1,000 people | EV Ownership Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Wellington | 30.1 | 3.38% |
| Auckland | 27.6 | ~2.8% |
| National Average | 21.5 | 2.4% |
| Regional NZ | Lower | <2% |
Key insight: If you're in Wellington or Auckland, you'll see more EVs than workshops in regional areas. The business case varies by location.
Policy Changes
From April 2024, EV owners must purchase Road User Charges (RUC), ending the previous exemption. This adds ~$700-1,000/year in running costs for typical EV owners but doesn't significantly change servicing demand.
Most Common EVs in NZ
Understanding what's on the road helps you know what to prepare for:
| Vehicle | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Nissan Leaf | BEV | Most common EV in NZ, many used imports |
| Tesla Model 3/Y | BEV | Growing rapidly, often serviced at Tesla |
| MG ZS EV | BEV | Popular affordable option |
| BYD Atto 3 | BEV | Strong 2023-24 sales |
| Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV | PHEV | Most common PHEV |
🔧 What Do EVs Actually Need?
EVs require less maintenance than ICE vehicles, but they're not maintenance-free. Here's what they need:
Regular Service Items
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brake fluid | Every 2-3 years | Standard brake fluid service |
| Cabin air filter | Every 1-2 years | Same as ICE vehicles |
| Tyre rotation | Every 10,000-15,000km | EVs are heavier, tyres wear faster |
| 12V battery | Check annually | Critical for vehicle systems |
| Wiper blades | As needed | Standard replacement |
| Brake pads | Extended life | Regenerative braking extends pad life significantly |
Less Frequent Items
| Item | Interval | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery coolant | Varies (80,000-150,000km) | Some say "never" (Tesla), others recommend checks |
| Gearbox fluid | Usually lifetime | Single-speed, minimal wear |
| Brake caliper lubrication | Annually (road salt areas) | Less brake use = potential for seized calipers |
What EVs DON'T Need
- ❌ Oil changes
- ❌ Spark plugs
- ❌ Timing belts
- ❌ Transmission services
- ❌ Fuel filters
- ❌ Exhaust repairs
- ❌ Emission testing
⚠️ Key Reality
EVs generate significantly less service revenue than ICE vehicles. A typical EV might visit a workshop once every 1-2 years for basic maintenance, compared to annual services for ICE vehicles. The service itself also costs less (no oil change).
📚 Training Requirements
Working on EVs safely requires specific training due to high-voltage systems (400-800V+). This is not optional — it's a safety requirement.
MITO Qualifications
MITO (Motor Industry Training Organisation) offers EV-specific qualifications:
Working Safely with Electric Vehicles (Micro-credential)
Duration
Half-day workshop
Prerequisites
None
Cost
Check MITO — sometimes FREE
Best For
Basic safety awareness
Covers essential safety protocols for working around EVs. Good starting point for all workshop staff.
NZ Certificate in Electric Vehicle Automotive Engineering (Level 5)
Duration
11 months (70 credits)
Prerequisites
Level 4 Automotive qualification
Cost (2024)
$3,121 + GST
Format
eLearning + 10 days practical
Comprehensive qualification for inspecting, servicing, and repairing EVs. Covers high-voltage safety, battery systems, and EV-specific diagnostics.
What the Training Covers
- High-voltage safety: Safe isolation procedures, PPE requirements
- Battery systems: Understanding battery technology, thermal management
- Electric motors: Operation, diagnostics, common issues
- Charging systems: On-board chargers, charging infrastructure
- Regenerative braking: How it works, maintenance implications
- Diagnostics: EV-specific diagnostic procedures and equipment
💰 The Business Case
Let's look at the economics honestly:
Investment Required
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| MITO Level 5 training (per tech) | ~$3,600 inc GST | Plus 10 days off work |
| Basic safety micro-credential | Free-$500 | Half day |
| Insulated tools | $2,000-$5,000 | 1,000V rated tools required |
| PPE (gloves, face shield) | $500-$1,000 | High-voltage rated |
| EV diagnostic equipment | $3,000-$10,000+ | Depending on capability level |
| Minimum Investment | $8,000-$15,000+ | Per technician trained |
Revenue Potential
The challenge: EVs generate less service revenue.
Typical ICE Vehicle
- Annual service: $300-$500
- Visits workshop: 1-2x/year
- Additional repairs: Frequent
- Lifetime service revenue: High
Typical EV
- Annual service: $150-$250
- Visits workshop: Every 1-2 years
- Additional repairs: Less frequent
- Lifetime service revenue: Lower
When EV Capability Makes Sense
Good Reasons to Invest:
- ✓ You're in Wellington/Auckland with high EV density
- ✓ You want to service fleet customers adopting EVs
- ✓ You're planning long-term (10+ years)
- ✓ You want to differentiate from competitors
- ✓ You have technicians interested in upskilling
- ✓ You're already losing customers who bought EVs
Reasons to Wait:
- ⚠️ You're in a regional area with few EVs
- ⚠️ Your current workload is already full
- ⚠️ Investment would strain your finances
- ⚠️ No staff interested in EV training
- ⚠️ Your customer base is mainly older vehicles
Alternative: Hybrid First
Consider starting with hybrid vehicles — they still need conventional servicing (oil changes, etc.) plus some EV knowledge. This lets you build capability gradually with less investment.
📈 What Does the Future Look Like?
Predictions are uncertain, but consider:
- EVs will grow — even without subsidies, EV adoption will continue as prices fall
- ICE vehicles aren't disappearing — NZ's fleet is old (average 14+ years), ICE vehicles will dominate for decades
- The transition is gradual — you have time to build capability
- Some EVs stay with dealers — Tesla, for example, controls much of its own service
💡 Practical Advice
Start with the free or low-cost safety micro-credential for your team. This gives basic EV awareness without major investment. Then evaluate demand and consider the full Level 5 qualification if you're seeing EV work opportunities.
✓ Key Takeaways
The Reality
- EVs are ~2.4% of NZ fleet currently
- Growth has slowed post-Clean Car Discount
- EVs need less servicing than ICE
- Investment required is $8,000-$15,000+
- ROI depends heavily on location
Recommendations
- Start with safety awareness training
- Assess your local EV density
- Consider hybrid capability first
- Don't over-invest ahead of demand
- Plan for gradual capability building