VFACTS August 2026: EVs Outsell Petrol, Diesel and Hybrid New Vehicles in Bumper Month
Battery electric vehicles reached a record 24.9% market share as 27,078 deliveries beat petrol, diesel and hybrid sales, VFACTS data showed.
- In August 2026, electric vehicles outsold petrol-powered cars in Australia for the first time, with 27,078 EVs delivered representing 24.9 per cent of all new-vehicle sales, according to Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries data.
- The broader Australian automotive market grew 4.9% to 108,760 vehicles, yet battery-electric vehicle sales surged 169.4 per cent year-over-year, driven by strong gains from BYD, Tesla, and Omoda Jaecoo.
- Toyota remained the top brand with 19,712 sales, down 5.2%, while BYD secured second place with 8,231 sales, up 68.8%; Tesla vaulted to third with 7,685 sales, marking a 163% increase.
- Seven of the eight top-selling EVs are Chinese brands, and all eight top-selling models were manufactured in China, including Tesla's vehicles, reflecting concentrated production and market capture.
- When including hybrids and plug-in hybrids , electrified vehicles accounted for 51.8% of the market, signaling that combustion-only cars are now in the minority in Australia.
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EVs outsell petrol in Australia for the first time, led by China
Electric cars outsold petrol cars in Australia for the first time in August. Battery-electric vehicles hit 27,078 sales, or 24.9% of the new-car market, ahead of both petrol (25,824) and diesel (23,608). The Tesla Model Y topped every model on sale. But look past it, and Australia’s EV record is almost entirely a Chinese one. more…
Over 27,000 EVs were sold in August, accounting for 24.9% of the market share (equivalent to one in four vehicles sold being electric), completely overwhelming the 25,824 gasoline-powered vehicles sold during the same period. BMW aims for electric vehicles to account for over 30% of sales in India. Global electric vehicle sales increase for the fifth consecutive month. Chinese electric vehicles expand the technology race into Southeast Asia.
Electric vehicles outsell petrol cars for the first time in Australia
Monthly electric vehicle sales have outstripped petrol cars for the first time on record as government subsidies, a sustained rise in fuel prices from the conflict in Iran and a flood of cheap Chinese imports continue to upend the country’s car market. More than 27,000 EVs were sold over the month to September, accounting for [...]
The Australian electric vehicle market reached a new high, with monthly sales surpassing gasoline cars for the first time. Among them, the Tesla Model Y became the best-selling new car in Australia in August 2026. The picture shows a Tesla electric car driving on the streets of Sydney. (AAP Image/ Steven Markham)
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