Australia’s EV Sales Surpass 20% Market Share as July Sets New Vehicle Sales Record

Canberra: Australia’s electric vehicle (EV) market continued its strong growth momentum in July 2026, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounting for 21.7% of all new vehicle sales, marking the second consecutive month that EVs have captured more than one-fifth of the country’s automotive market.

According to the latest VFACTS industry figures, 23,510 battery electric vehicles were sold during July, contributing to a record 103,656 new vehicle deliveries, the highest July sales figure ever recorded in Australia. The result also follows a record-breaking June, taking total vehicle sales for the first seven months of 2026 to 710,449 units.

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) described the figures as a strong indicator of consumer confidence despite ongoing economic pressures. FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber said the Australian automotive market had delivered another outstanding performance, with electric vehicles now becoming a mainstream choice for consumers.

However, Weber cautioned that Australia’s charging infrastructure must expand rapidly to keep pace with accelerating EV adoption. He emphasized that governments and the private sector must work together to develop a reliable and accessible public charging network, particularly in regional areas and for motorists without access to home charging facilities. He noted that dependable charging infrastructure will be critical to maintaining consumer confidence as electric vehicles become a larger part of Australia’s vehicle fleet.

Year-to-date, Australians have purchased 127,244 battery electric vehicles, representing 17.3% of all new vehicle sales, highlighting the country’s rapid transition toward cleaner transportation.

SUVs remained Australia’s most popular vehicle category in July with 67,699 deliveries, followed by light commercial vehicles, passenger cars, and heavy commercial vehicles.

Toyota retained its position as Australia’s best-selling automotive brand with 20,409 vehicle sales, while BYDstrengthened its position as the country’s second-largest brand with 7,857 deliveries during the month. Ford, Kia, and Mazda completed the top five.

On a year-to-date basis, Toyota continues to lead the Australian market with 115,550 vehicle sales, although its market share has declined compared to last year. BYD has emerged as one of the fastest-growing brands, recording 60,192 sales in 2026 so far—more than doubling its sales volume compared to the same period in 2025.

Among individual models, the Toyota RAV4 was Australia’s best-selling vehicle in July, followed by the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. Chinese manufacturers also continued to gain market share, with the BYD Sealion 7, Chery Tiggo 4, Geely EX5, and Zeekr 7X all ranking among Australia’s top-selling vehicles.

The latest sales figures underscore Australia’s accelerating transition toward electric mobility and highlight the growing influence of Chinese EV manufacturers in global automotive markets. Industry experts believe continued investment in charging infrastructure, supportive government policies, and expanding model availability will be essential to sustaining Australia’s rapid EV adoption in the years ahead.