The surge in EV sales has taken the total electric vehicle fleet in Australia to more than 650,000, according to the latest data, with even legacy car companies reporting a rapidly growing share of EV sales.
Official data released earlier this week showed that Australians purchase 23,510 EVs ion July. This was described as a 21.7 per cent share by the main car body, the FCAI, but according to the Electric Vehicle Council it represented 22.3 per cent of all sales because its calculations do not include heavy commercial vehicles.
The EVC says a further 10,359 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were also sold in July, lifting total electric plug in sales to 33,869 for the month – treble the 11,250 sold in July last year.
EV CEO Julie Delvecchio said the slightly softer numbers, down from 23.5 per cent in June, were expected.
“But the underlying trend remains clear: EV sales are well ahead of last year and choice is expanding across all car types and price points. Australians are choosing electric, and choosing it more often,” Delvecchio said in a statement.
“For Australian households feeling the cost-of-living squeeze, going electric is real relief from rising costs – around $3,000 a year saved on fuel and maintenance, straight back into the household budget.”
According to the EVC, full battery electric cars have accounted for 17.7 per cent of total sales in 2026, and the national vehicle fleet is now estimated at 650,000 vehicles, about 3 per cent of the total fleet. The share of plug in hyrbrids has increased from 4.2 per cent to 9 per cent.
The sales numbers are dominated by EV specialists such as BYD and Tesla, and the growing number of Chinese brands such as Geely, Zeekr and Omoda Jaecoo.
But legacy carmakers are also witnessing a switch. Volvo said fully electric cars have accounted for 42 per cent of its sales in the year to date and 65 per cent in the month of July.
Volvo Car Australia Managing Director Stephen Connor said this demonstrated growing consumer confidence in electric mobility and Volvo’s expanding EV offering.”
Tesla, which makes the best selling EV, the Model Y, as well as the Model 3, says consumer interest remains strong. It reported big interest in its new 6-seater Model Y L in the month of July, which outsold the standard Model Y offering.
“Tesla continues to see strong enquiry for EV adoption across Australia. While market conditions influence demand, our growth is aligned with what customers want and continues to drive sustained demand for Australia’s favourite electric vehicle,” a spokesperson said.
You can find 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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