New Zealand's electric car market is reaching a tipping point. 

Five new Chinese car brands have entered the market in the last two months – Dongfeng being the latest. 

Its launch lineup includes three fully electric models, and dealerships are set to open in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch later in the year.  

Auto Distributors NZ CEO Simon Rutherford told Mike Hosking the market has shifted over the last few years to be more accepting of EVs. 

He says people who are looking to buy a second car are increasingly more likely to consider buying electric, and even in the last year there’s been a shift of about 10% out of pure ICE vehicles into something electrified. 

LISTEN ABOVE