Australian EV sales take off in February, with record share of 9.6 per cent

The uptake of electric vehicles Australia has taken off again, with monthly sales in February showing the strongest appetite for the technology so far, reaching a record 9.6 per cent share in the month.

The latest data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) shows that a record 10,011 full-battery electric cars were sold in Australia in February. This was a huge rise from the 4,893 sales in January.

The 9.6 per cent share is above the last record posted in June last year, when EV uptake made up 8.8%.

Tesla led the way in EV sales with its refreshed Model 3 becoming Australia’s best-selling passenger car in the month. It took the crown with 3,593 sales, outpacing the Toyota Rav4 which was the only other passenger car in the top 5 vehicles sold in the country.

Tesla’s electric SUV, the Model Y, took the second spot on the EV charts with 2,072 sales in February, delivering a total of 5,665 sales for Tesla in the month, and pushing its EV market share back above 50 per cent and to 56 per cent.

At the more affordable end of the market, the BYD Atto 3 (711 sales), the BYD Seal (619 sales) and MG4 (446 sales) took the next three spots to make it up the top 5 table for EVs. They were followed by the BYD Dolphin.

Other notable EVs that made it to the sales chart included the Kia EV6 and Volvo and the XC40 Recharge, although some data is yet to be received.

The best-selling EVs in February 2024 were:

1. Tesla Model 3 – 3593 sales
2. Tesla Model Y – 2072 sales
3. BYD Atto 3 – 711 sales
4. BYD Seal – 619 sales
5. MG MG4 – 446 sales
6. BYD Dolphin – 219 sales
7. Kia EV6 – 192 sales
8. Volvo XC40 recharge – 143 sales
9. BMW i4 – 128 sales
10. Polestar 2 – 113 sales

The Driven is waiting to hear back from various manufacturers for sales of some EV models and this list will be updated once they’re received.

These EV sales come after a massive year in 2023 when over 87,000 new EVs made it onto Australian roads. 

Given over 15,000 EVs have already hit the road in 2024 and plenty of new models to come, EV sales this year will easily surpass 100,000 as the nation prepares for the highly anticipated fuel-emission standards that kick off in 2025.

“Growing sales of electric vehicles across other market segments proves that where a battery electric product exists which suits the driving habits of Australian motorists, work and recreation needs they will purchase these vehicles,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said in a statement.

The FCAI has been leading a campaign against new vehicle emission standards proposed by the federal government, despite the support of key car makers such as Tesla, Polestar, Hyundai and VW, and the support of motoring groups such as the NRMA.