The peak came in 2023, when government support under the Clean Car Discount helped lift EV market share to 14.5%. Tesla Model Y: Still the BenchmarkThe Tesla Model Y remains the most influential EV in New Zealand’s market and, for many buyers, still the most complete package. BYD Atto 1: The Price Shock CarIf one model captures how quickly New Zealand’s EV market is changing, it is the BYD Atto 1. BYD Atto 2: The Volume Sweet SpotPositioned between the Atto 1 and the more established Atto 3, the BYD Atto 2 may be the brand’s smartest product in the local market. It is a direct challenge to the Tesla Model Y and, in some key areas, a stronger proposition on paper.