Government vehicle cost comparison tools with RUC built in, helping New Zealanders choose lower-emission vehicles.
The EECA Vehicle Calculators are a suite of online tools developed by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA), a New Zealand Crown entity established under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000. EECA's mission is to mobilise New Zealanders to be world leaders in clean and clever energy use. The vehicle calculators support this mission by enabling consumers and fleet operators to compare the total cost of owning and running electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, and diesel vehicles, with Road User Charges included where applicable. EECA provides two complementary vehicle comparison tools. The Vehicle Total Cost of Ownership Calculator, launched in October 2015 by Transport Minister Simon Bridges, is aimed at business fleet managers and compares purchase price, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and RUC across vehicle powertrains. The Vehicle Comparison Calculator is a consumer-facing tool that helps prospective car buyers compare the cost of buying and running new electric vehicles against hybrid, plug-in hybrid, petrol, or diesel alternatives. Both tools source their vehicle data from OptiFleet, which has analysed every light vehicle imported into New Zealand over the past 22 years. EECA also operates the Gen Less programme, which hosts these tools alongside broader energy efficiency resources.
Business-focused online tool comparing the total cost of owning and running electric, plug-in hybrid, petrol, and diesel vehicles. Includes purchase price, fuel costs, maintenance, depreciation, and Road User Charges. Uses vehicle data from OptiFleet. Results can be customised for individual driving patterns, finance arrangements, and tax situations, and exported as PDF.
Consumer-facing tool for prospective car buyers to compare the cost of buying and running new electric vehicles against hybrid, plug-in hybrid, petrol, or diesel alternatives. Includes RUC where applicable. Data sourced from OptiFleet's database of light vehicles imported into New Zealand.
EECA's regulatory programme requiring fuel economy labels on vehicles sold in NZ. Translates test results into a star rating out of six for CO2 emissions and energy economy, providing complementary information to the vehicle calculators.
EECA's public-facing programme and website encouraging New Zealanders to live more with less energy. Hosts vehicle comparison tools, EV charging guidance, and broader energy efficiency resources for homes and businesses.
EECA originally established by the Fourth National Government to encourage energy efficiency, conservation, and renewable energy use.
EECA became a Crown entity under the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act 2000, enacted on 1 July 2000. Headquartered at Level 8, 44 The Terrace, Wellington.
Vehicle Total Cost of Ownership Calculator launched in October by Transport Minister Simon Bridges at the NZ Transport Fuels and Fleet Management Summit. Targeted at business fleets, noting 70% of new car purchases in NZ are made by corporate fleets.
Gen Less programme launched as EECA's public-facing brand for energy efficiency engagement. Vehicle comparison tools hosted on the Gen Less platform.
Dr Marcos Pelenur appointed as EECA Chief Executive in September, bringing a PhD in Engineering from Cambridge and experience from the Behavioural Insights Team and MBIE.
Vehicle calculators updated to reflect new RUC rates following the April 2024 introduction of RUC for light electric vehicles ($76/1,000km) and plug-in hybrids ($53/1,000km). Consumer Vehicle Comparison Calculator moved under EECA's main website from Gen Less.
Chief Executive, EECA
Appointed September 2023. PhD in Engineering from University of Cambridge. Chartered Professional Member of Engineering NZ and Chartered Engineer (IET). Previously at the Behavioural Insights Team (Ottawa) and MBIE.
Board Chair, EECA
Board member since 2013, appointed Chair in 2019. Masters of Civil Engineering, fellow of Engineering NZ. Executive experience in transport, infrastructure, and energy sectors.
Group Manager, Policy and Regulation
At EECA since 2004, became Group Manager in 2021. Oversees the policy and regulatory frameworks including vehicle emissions labelling.
EECA's vehicle calculators are among the most authoritative government tools for understanding how Road User Charges affect vehicle running costs in New Zealand. Both the business TCO calculator and the consumer comparison calculator include RUC where applicable, allowing users to see the true cost difference between petrol vehicles (which pay fuel excise duty) and diesel/electric vehicles (which pay RUC). This is particularly significant since the April 2024 introduction of RUC for light EVs and PHEVs, as the calculators now show prospective EV buyers exactly how RUC affects the total cost of ownership compared to petrol alternatives.
EECA launched the Government's Low Emission Vehicles Contestable Fund, offering up to $6.5 million per year to accelerate uptake of EVs and low-emission vehicles. The fund has since unlocked $265 million in private capital.
The Government announced a target of 10,000 public EV chargers by 2030, with EECA playing a central role. As of December 2024, there were 1,378 public EV charge points across New Zealand. Up to $68.5 million in grant funding was set aside.
