The national capital continues to lead Australia in the uptake of electric vehicles, with new figures showing a record 34 per cent of new car sales in the month of April.
The data was released by the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) government on Monday, a couple of days ahead of official country-wide data, and shows that the capital has hit a new peak in its country leading uptake of EVs
According to the ACT’s Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) Dashboard, there were 15,596 ZEVs in Australia’s capital as at the beginning of May. There was no breakdown on the number of EVs sold in the month, however.
The aggregate total includes 15,165 light vehicles, 310 motorcycles, and 120 heavy vehicles, as well as a single hydrogen fuel cell EV. The data also shows that there are two solar powered vehicles registered, which almost certainly must belong to the Australian National University’s Solar Racing team.
There’s also a single steam powered vehicle, so make of that what you will.
The ACT’s figures also reveal that ZEVs accounted for 34 per cent of newly registered vehicles for April – which can include both newly purchased vehicles as well as vehicle transfers from interstate.
This brings the total share of ZEVs in Australia’s capital to 4.04 per cent, up from the 3.88 per cent share recorded in April, and the 3.02 per cent share recorded in May 2025. That is double the EV penetration for the rest of the country.
See The Driven’s detailed EV sales data here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026; by model and by brand.
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Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.