Electric vehicles reach record 20% of new car sales in Australia in May
By
Lachlan Bennett
Warm and crisp on the edges. A bagel with a bit of bite.
Summary
Electric vehicle sales in Australia reached a record high in May, with EVs making up one in five of all new vehicles sold. Nearly half (46%) of all new vehicles sold were either EVs, hybrids, or plug-in hybrids. Sales of petrol and diesel SUVs dropped significantly (31% and 41% respectively), while plug-in hybrid sales surged 377%. The data signals a major shift away from traditional combustion engines in the Australian automotive market.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledDemand for electric vehicles is soaring to new heights in Australia, with EVs representing one in five of all new vehicles sold in May.
Fuel security concerns are also pushing consumers away from petrochemical power, with 46 per cent of all new vehicles sold last month being either an EV, hybrid or plug-in hybrid.
Even Australia's most popular vehicle class, the gas-guzzling SUV, is embracing lower-emissions technology, as sales of petrol and diesel SUVs dropped by 31 per cent and 41 per cent respectively, while plug-in hybrid sales soared 377 per cent.
You might also wanna read
BYD surpasses Tesla and Kia to become top-selling EV brand in UK and other overseas markets
BYD has become the best-selling EV brand in the UK with over 7% market share in 2026, surpassing Tesla, Kia, and Volkswagen. The Chinese aut
Electrek·28d ago
BYD's EV Strategy Succeeds as Rising Fuel Prices Drive Electric Vehicle Adoption
BYD, the Chinese automaker that stopped producing internal combustion engine vehicles in 2022, is experiencing increased electric vehicle sa
electrek.co·2mo ago
UK new car market rebounds 24% in April as two-millionth electric vehicle is registered
The UK new car market grew 24% in April to 149,247 registrations, marking the best April since 2019. The rebound follows a weak April last y
SMMT·29d ago
European EV Sales Grow 26% in 2025 While Tesla Faces 34% Decline
European EV sales increased 26% in the first eight months of 2025 compared to the previous year, indicating strong growth in electric mobili
notebookcheck.net·8mo ago
BYD Surpasses Tesla as World's Leading Electric Vehicle Seller
Chinese automaker BYD has overtaken Tesla as the world's top electric vehicle seller for the first time, with Tesla's sales dropping 16% in
bbc.com·5mo ago
BYD Achieves 2025 Sales Target of 4.6 Million Vehicles, Likely Surpassing Tesla as World's Largest EV Maker
BYD Co. achieved its 2025 sales target of 4.6 million vehicles, likely surpassing Tesla to become the world's largest electric vehicle maker
bloomberg.com·5mo ago