Online electric vehicle charges start today - our Crux guide

Today marks the start of road user charges for all full electric vehicles and plug in hybrids (PHEV’s).

Crux tried the system out and it worked well, including issuing a temporary vehicle label that can be used while the original is mailed. We bought 5 x 1,000 km units for a PHEV at a cost of $202.44.

It took Crux just 30 seconds to apply and pay for the new road user charges online.

Here’s the full details of who pays what and the NZTA video that explains the new system. You'll need:

• the plate numbers of the vehicles you are buying RUC for
• a Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card or your internet banking details (POLi)
• please note that electric vehicles cannot buy RUC until 1 April 2024. From 1 April you will need your current odometer reading (if you're buying the first RUC licence for an electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle).

You can pay your RUC’s here.

You need to buy RUC if your vehicle:

• is powered fully or partly from externally supplied electricity, and
• weighs 1001kg–3500kg. 

The amount you pay depends on the type of electric vehicle you have. 

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)

Powered exclusively by electricity, and plugs in to charge. 

You'll pay the usual light vehicle RUC rate of $76.00 per 1000km. 

Plug-in petrol hybrid vehicle

Uses both petrol and electricity, and can plug in to charge. 

You'll pay a lower RUC rate of $38.00 per 1000km. This is because you already pay some fuel excise duty when you buy petrol. 

Plug-in diesel hybrid vehicle

Uses both diesel and electricity, and can plug in to charge. 

You'll pay the usual light vehicle RUC rate of $76.00 per 1000km. 

Hybrid diesel vehicles

Uses both diesel and electricity, but can't plug in to charge.

You'll already be buying RUC and paying the usual light vehicle RUC rate of $76.00 per 1000km. 

Hybrid petrol vehicles

Uses both petrol and electricity, but can't plug in to charge. 

You don't need to buy RUC, as you already pay fuel excise duty when you buy petrol. 

Very light electric vehicles

These vehicles are powered solely by electricity, and weigh less than 1000kg (for example electric motorcycles or mopeds). 

You don't need to buy RUC for these vehicles. 

Buying a RUC licence

When you buy RUC you pre-pay for the distance you’re going to travel, in units of 1000km.

You have until 31 May 2024 to buy your first RUC licence.