Electric Vehicles Capture 20% of Australian New Car Sales in May 2026

According to the latest VFACTS data, Australians purchased 100,206 new vehicles during the month, representing a 4.8% decline compared to May 2025. Despite the overall market downturn, sales of electrified vehicles-including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs)-continued to rise, collectively making up 46% of all new vehicle sales.

The SUV segment, Australia's largest vehicle category, exhibited the most pronounced shift. Compared to May 2025, electric SUV sales surged by 167%, while plug-in hybrid SUV sales increased by 377%. In contrast, petrol-powered SUV sales declined by 31%, and diesel SUVs saw a 41% decrease.

Tony Weber, Chief Executive of the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), highlighted the rapid change in consumer preferences: "The shift is particularly evident in the SUV segment, where consumer preferences are changing rapidly. Today’s SUV buyer is increasingly choosing hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric options."

Leading the market, Toyota remained Australia's best-selling automotive brand in May with 16,342 sales. Chinese manufacturer BYD continued its rapid growth, finishing second overall with 8,211 sales, ahead of Ford (7,195), Hyundai (7,007), and Kia (6,761). Notably, BYD's sales increased by 155% year-on-year, while other newer entrants like Omoda Jaecoo and Geely recorded growth of 729% and 416%, respectively.

The FCAI emphasized the need for continued investment in public charging infrastructure to support the growing number of EVs on Australian roads. "As the number of EVs on the road continues to grow, charging infrastructure must become more of a priority," Weber stated.

These figures suggest that electrified vehicles are steadily gaining traction in Australia, even as the broader new-car market experiences a slight decline. For consumers considering a new vehicle purchase, the expanding range of EV options, coupled with supportive government policies and improving infrastructure, make this an opportune time to explore electric mobility.