Plug-in cars take more than a third of new sales
EV sales reached 36% of Australia’s new car market in August 2026, according to the Electric Vehicle Council.
Battery electric vehicles hit a record 24.9% share of all new vehicle sales in the month. When plug-in hybrid vehicles were included, plug-in cars accounted for just over a third of the market.
Pure petrol and diesel cars fell again and made up well under half of new vehicle sales in August. The Electric Vehicle Council linked the shift to lower driving costs, wider model choice and demand for cleaner transport.
Electric Vehicle Council chief executive Julie Delvecchio said the figures showed a structural shift in how Australians choose cars.
“Battery electric and plug-in electric cars taking 36% of the new car market is a powerful indication of where Australian motorists are at,” Ms Delvecchio said.
She said households were weighing the cost of buying, charging and servicing an electric car against petrol and diesel vehicles. She also said those savings increase across the life of a vehicle.
Almost 200 EV models are now available in Australia across different price points, sizes and features. Ms Delvecchio said that broader range and more competitive pricing were making it easier for more people to switch.
The Tesla Model Y remained Australia’s best-selling new vehicle in August with 6,414 sales. The Electric Vehicle Council said that was about 17% higher than its nearest competitor.
Toyota, BYD and Tesla top August
Toyota ranked first among manufacturers for the month. BYD placed second and Tesla ranked third.
Ms Delvecchio said the August result also reinforced the need for policy certainty and continued investment in charging infrastructure as EV demand grows.
“The priority now is to make the benefits of going electric accessible to more Australians, including people in regional communities, apartment residents and the 30% of Australians who rent their home,” Ms Delvecchio said.
She called for policies that support ongoing EV adoption and for reliable charging to keep pace with demand at home, at work and on the road.
The Electric Vehicle Council did not provide total August new car sales or a separate plug-in hybrid sales figure on 3 September 2026.
