The emission value of a vehicle is calculated according to the requirements in the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Efficiency and Emissions Data 2022. In rare cases where a value is not provided a default value is assigned by NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi.

If you believe you have more accurate CO₂ emission information, then don’t register the vehicle because we can’t change it after registration. The opportunity to review a CO₂ value needs to happen before registration.

You can supply CO₂ data you believe to be more accurate to NZTA which we will consider based on the criteria below. The data you provide will need to be higher in the preferred data source order than the CO₂ data held by NZTA (we’ll feed this back to you in our response) and needs to be able to be verified by NZTA.

The hierarchy of preferred data source is:

1. Statement of Compliance
2. Type approval, registration documents, de-registration documents
3. A record made publicly available by a national government of the relevant jurisdiction
4. Vehicle manufacturer data provided on their website

Here are some examples of outcomes based on the data hierarchy:

• If NZTA have CO₂ data based on a Japanese de-registration document and the importer provides a statement of compliance (SoC). NZTA will verify the validity of the SoC and accept that as preferred data and update Fuelsaver and the Motor Vehicle Register.
• Alternatively, If NZTA have CO₂ data based on a Japanese de-registration document and the importer provides data from a manufacturer’s website, NZTA will reject this challenge as it is less preferred.

If you want to supply alternative CO₂ emission data or have any other queries relating to the emission values, please email us on cleancars@nzta.govt.nz.

The carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions values are compared using the Worldwide Harmonised Light-Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). WLTP is being introduced globally as a single emissions standard that reflects realistic road use conditions like variable speed ranges, acceleration and deceleration. WLTP emission values are therefore a more accurate emissions rating, but tend to be higher than New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) values. WLTP has already replaced NEDC in many parts of the world including the European Union, United Kingdom and Japan. Where WLTP is not provided from the Manufacturer, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi will convert the value provided to the 3p-WLTP.

For more information on the Clean Car Programme see the NZTA website.

Clean Car Programme External Link

For more information on the Clean Car initiative for environment and climate change see the Ministry of Transport website.

Ministry of Transport website External Link

To learn about the process of certifying a new vehicle see the NZTA website.

Importing a vehicle to New Zealand External Link