Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia!
The EV Revolution Gains Momentum
After a slow start in January, EV sales bounced back in February, claiming an impressive 11.8% share of the Australian car market. This surge was led by the mighty Tesla, along with Chinese EV giants BYD and Zeekr. But here's where it gets controversial: China's EVs took the lead, becoming the biggest source of new cars in Australia for the first time ever!
The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reveals that a total of 7,715 battery electric vehicles found their way onto Australian roads in February. When combined with data from EVC, the total vehicle sales for the month exceeded 94,000.
Most major EV manufacturers offered multiple incentives in February, which, coupled with the broader availability of affordable EV models, contributed to this remarkable sales growth.
And this is the part most people miss: EV sales in February 2026 almost doubled compared to the same month last year, jumping from 5.9% to a whopping 11.8%.
EV Sales Breakdown - February 2026
- FCAI vFacts: 7,715
- EVC (Polestar + Tesla): 3,419
- Total EV Sales (FCAI + EVC): 11,134
- Total Vehicle Sales (FCAI + EVC): 94,131
The first two months of 2025 saw 9,516 EVs hit the roads, but in 2026, we've already witnessed 18,543 electric cars join the Australian fleet.
PHEV sales also witnessed an increase in February, with 5,854 units sold, up from 4,871 in the same period last year.
Now, let's take a closer look at the top-selling EV models in February 2026:
- Tesla Model Y: 2,791 sales
- BYD Sealion 7: 1,327 sales
- Zeekr 7X: 628 sales
- Tesla Model 3: 483 sales
- Geely EX5: 416 sales
Other notable mentions include the BYD Atto 1, Australia's most affordable EV, which saw 349 sales in its best month yet.
The Driven is currently awaiting sales data from various manufacturers, which will be updated once received.
February also marked a historic moment as vehicles made in China surpassed those from Japan, becoming the largest source of vehicles for the Australian market in a single month.
"After 28 years, Japan has been overtaken by China," said FCAI CEO Tony Weber. "The Australian market is a highly competitive and open environment, allowing new brands to enter, establish dealer networks, and offer competitive pricing, technology, and design. Consumers benefit greatly from this competition."
The uptick in sales is a testament to the solid growth of EVs in Australia, with incentives and a broader model range playing a crucial role.
For a detailed breakdown of EV sales by month, model, and brand, check out our database here: [Insert Link].
Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop, a Melbourne-based company specializing in Australian EV data, insight reports, and trends, shares his passion for reducing transport emissions in Australia. With a background in mechanical engineering and a love for cars, particularly EVs, Riz currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.
Related Topics:
- BYD
- EV Sales
- Tesla
