Following the launch of the clean car rebate in April 2022, Tesla buyers have been reaping the benefits of the scheme.

Tesla buyers have been paid out $35 million in subsidies since the rebate was established, and gas consuming vehicles such as utes are taxed more.

This has been regarded as a 'reverse Robin Hood' scheme, where farmers and tradies of limited means are disproportionately taxed as they subsidise the wealthier Tesla buyers.

David Vinsen, Chief Executive of Vehicle Import Association, says that this scheme was relatively pointless, as people had a vested interest in buying EV's before the tax scheme was established.

"We're going to be limited by the availability of vehicles, we're going to be limited in our choices anyway. And so within the next one, two, five, or ten years, we're going to be limited to low emissions and electric vehicles. All the Government is doing is virtue signalling and waving the flag."

LISTEN ABOVE

• Revealed: How many Kiwis have cashed in on Govt clean-car scheme
• $35 million paid to Tesla buyers since start of clean car rebate
• Government to make cleaner cars cheaper at expense of gas guzzlers
• Transport Minister: Clean Car Rebate Scheme performing better than expected