An EV sold every 100 seconds: Australian demand for electric cars more than doubles

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

Australia's electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the first half of 2026, with EVs now comprising one in four new cars sold nationwide and 157,957 units purchased. This surge reflects shifting consumer preferences driven by fuel cost concerns and supportive policies, positioning the country to potentially reach 1 million EVs on the road by 2027.

Australia is experiencing a significant surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales, with the number of new EVs sold more than doubling in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. According to a recent report by the Electric Vehicle Council, a total of 157,957 EVs were sold between January and June, marking a 117% increase year on year. This translates to roughly one EV being sold every 100 seconds across the country.

The rise in EV sales coincides with a 14% decline in petrol and diesel vehicle purchases during the same timeframe, highlighting a notable shift in consumer preferences. EVs now represent one in four new vehicles sold nationally, an increase of 12.1 percentage points from the first six months of 2025. Of the EVs sold so far this year, about 104,000 were battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 54,000 were plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).

Julie Delvecchio, chief executive of the Electric Vehicle Council, attributes the growing uptake to cost-of-living concerns among Australian households. She suggests that while the current fuel cost pressures have accelerated interest in EVs, the trend was already underway due to existing policies promoting cleaner vehicles. “The fuel crisis exposed the value of the policy work that had already been done,” she said, noting that the lower running costs and improved energy security associated with EVs have become increasingly compelling for consumers.

As of June, there were approximately 612,000 EVs registered in Australia, and Aman Gaur, head of policy and advocacy at the council, expressed confidence that the country is on track to meet its goal of having 1 million EVs on the road by next year. The Australian Capital Territory remains the national leader in EV uptake, with electric vehicles comprising 44% of new car registrations. On a more localized level, Tarneit, a suburb in Melbourne’s west, recorded the highest EV adoption by postcode.

The growth in EV offerings has been supported by the national vehicle efficiency standard, which mandates that automakers produce vehicles meeting specified average emissions targets per kilometer. This policy has significantly increased the availability and affordability of EVs, with nearly 200 models now available in 2026. The Electric Vehicle Council is advocating for the federal government to extend this standard beyond its current 2029 expiry, aiming to align with Australia’s broader emissions reduction target set for 2035.

While passenger cars and buses have seen rapid EV adoption, the report highlights that electric trucks and vans still lag behind, accounting for less than 1% of their respective markets. Gaur and Delvecchio both emphasized the importance of accelerating the transition in this sector, noting that each electric truck contributes to improved energy security.

Finally, the report evaluated regional government policies on EVs, applauding the federal government along with the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales for their supportive measures. However, it criticized states such as South Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory for falling behind or reversing progress, particularly Queensland and the Northern Territory, which were described as moving back toward fossil fuel dependence rather than promoting clean vehicle adoption.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.