EV sales rising in Australia

There were 101,992 new vehicle sales in Australia last month, an increase of 5.1 per cent when compared with September 2024.

It brings the market’s year-to-date total to 914,439, which is 1.4 per cent lower than at the same stage of last year, according to figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI).

Toyota’s Hilux was the leading model last month with 5,047 sales. It was followed by two Fords, with the Ranger on 4,867 registrations and the Everest with 2,558.

Completing the top five were Toyota’s RAV4 on 2,554 and its Land Cruiser, pictured, with 2,101.

Toyota had the most sales of all the marques with 18,318 during September. Next was Ford on 8,300, Kia with 7,330, Mazda on 7,034 and Hyundai with 6,501. 

China’s rise as a source of new cars continued last month as it became the second-largest country of origin. It has also accounted for 77.5 per cent of all battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales this year.

BEVs from all sources held an 11.3 per cent market share last month, up from their year-to-date performance of 8.1 per cent.

Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) recorded 4,491 sales or 4.4 per cent of the market, lifting its year-to-date share to 4.2 per cent.

Tony Weber, FCAI chief executive, says the results show encouraging signs from a low base for EV uptake.

“There is no shortage of battery electric vehicles on the market in Australia,” he explains. 

“With more than 100 BEVs and more than 50 PHEVs available, manufacturers have worked hard to provide Australians with high-quality electric vehicles. 

“What is needed now is a stronger focus on encouraging demand, in particular public recharging infrastructure.

“More needs to be done to give mainstream buyers the confidence to consider EVs in the future.”