New data from one of the country’s most recognisable motoring groups reveals that interest in affordable electric vehicles (EVs) remains high, particularly with the end of the federal government’s fuel excise discount.
The Royal Automobile Club of Victoria, better known as RACV, says affordable EVs continue to be the most searched cars on its Car Match website, which allows users to research and compare cars based on estimated running costs, features, specifications, and loan options.
It says EVs from BYD and MG have been the most searched across RACV Car Match since the uncertainty around the fuel market began ramping up five months ago.
This follows a 461 per cent surge in EV searches on Car Match in March compared to February, following the start of the United States’ and Israel’s war with Iran, which closed the vital oil shipping lane through the Strait of Hormuz and sent global oil prices skyrocketing.
With the US–Iran war continuing to destabilise the global economy and oil sector, and the Australian federal government’s fuel excise discount ending at the same time it will undergo its twice-yearly inflation indexation, electric vehicles are consistently being held up as a potential escape from the economic turmoil.
Data from RACV’s Car Match reveals that EVs by BYD and MG claimed the top five spots for searches, led by the BYD Atto 1 city car, Australia’s cheapest EV, which is priced from just under $28,000 drive away.
The top five were rounded out with the BYD Atto 2 small SUV ($36,244 drive away), the BYD Sealion 7 mid-sized SUV ($60,210 drive away), BYD Dolphin hatchback ($31,611 drive away), and the MG4 family hatchback ($30,777 drive away).
EVs continue to grab a bigger share of the new car market, reaching 21.7 per cent in July after a record 23.5 per cent share in June. Including plug in hybrids, electric cars now account for one third of the Australian new car market.
“Cost of living and a desire to find cheaper ways to stay on the road is top of mind for Australians, and we’re seeing how that is changing our local car market and consumer preferences,” said James Williams, RACV’s head of policy, who said that the data from RACV Car Match pointed to a meaningful shift in what Australians were looking for when purchasing their next car.
“Manufacturers such as BYD and MG have become major players in the Australian market as motorists increasingly prioritise value for money, technology, and safety features with ongoing pressure at the bowser pushing more everyday Victorians to electric.”
Data published by the Australian Automobile Association showing that that 49.16 per cent of new car sales in the second quarter of 2026 were electrified, consisting of BEVs, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), or hybrids.
You can find The Driven’s detailed EV sales data here: Australian electric vehicle sales by month in 2026; by model and by brand.
And you can sign up for The Driven’s free daily newsletter and get the latest EV news and analysis delivered straight to your inbox.
