What the Ruc?

What the Ruc? is a free web-based RUC calculator built by Kodeword Limited, the Wellington-based company behind the popular Roadtrip fuel cost calculator app. The tool was created in early 2024 in response to the New Zealand Government's decision to begin charging Road User Charges on electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids from April 1, 2024, ending a 15-year exemption. The calculator works by accepting a vehicle's license plate number and average annual driving distance. It queries the NZTA database in real time to retrieve the vehicle's fuel type, then calculates the estimated annual RUC cost using current rates: $76 per 1,000km for EVs and diesel vehicles, $38 per 1,000km for PHEVs. The tool also estimates annual electricity costs for EV owners at $0.35/kWh. What the Ruc? is designed with privacy in mind -- it looks up licence plates with NZTA but never stores any personal data. The tool also supports placeholder plates like 'LOLGAS' for prospective EV buyers who want to estimate costs before purchasing.

What the Ruc? was purpose-built to help New Zealand EV and PHEV owners understand their new Road User Charges obligation following the April 2024 policy change. The tool provides a simple, privacy-respecting way to estimate annual RUC costs using real-time NZTA vehicle data. The parent Roadtrip app was also updated to incorporate RUC costs into its trip planning calculations for electric vehicles.