Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) in Australia! The EV market is on fire, and the numbers don't lie!
After a slow start in January, EV sales bounced back in February, claiming an impressive 11.8% share of the total new car market. And guess who's leading the charge? Tesla, BYD, and Zeekr are the trailblazers, driving this electric revolution.
But here's where it gets controversial... Tesla's limited EV lineup, though small, is packing a powerful punch with over 3,200 sales in February. BYD, the Chinese EV giant, is hot on their heels with 2,969 sales, and get this - China has become the biggest source of new cars in Australia for the first time ever!
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), a whopping 7,715 battery electric vehicles were sold in Australia in February alone. When combined with EVC data, the total vehicle sales for the month topped 94,131.
Most major EV makers offered multiple incentives in February, which, along with the availability of affordable EV models, contributed to this sales surge. And the numbers speak for themselves - EV sales in February 2026 were a massive jump from the previous year, when EVs accounted for just 5.9% of the market.
Let's break down the EV sales for February 2026:
FCAI vFacts: 7,715
EVC (Polestar + Tesla): 3,419
Total EV Sales: 11,134
Total Vehicle Sales: 94,131
In the first two months of 2025, EV sales totaled 9,516. But in 2026, we've already seen 18,543 electric cars hit the roads!
PHEV sales also saw an increase in February, with 5,854 sold during the month, up from 4,871 the previous year.
Now, let's talk about the top EV models. The Tesla Model Y reclaimed its throne with 2,971 sales, followed closely by BYD's Sealion 7 SUV with 1,327 sales. The Zeekr 7X, in its second month of deliveries, made a strong showing with 628 sales. The Tesla Model 3 and Geely EX5 rounded out the top 5.
Other notable mentions include the BYD Atto 1, Australia's most affordable EV, which saw its highest sales month to date with 349 units sold.
The best-selling EVs in February 2026 were:
- 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
- MG MG4: 406 sales
- BYD Atto 3: 384 sales
- Omoda Jaecoo J5: 369 sales
- BYD Atto 1: 349 sales
- BYD Atto 2: 347 sales
- BYD Seal: 302 sales
And this is the part most people miss... February marked a historic moment as vehicles made in China overtook those from Japan for the first time. Tony Weber, CEO of FCAI, commented, "After 28 years, Japan has been overtaken by China as the largest source of vehicles for the Australian market in a single month."
The Australian market is a hotbed of competition, with new brands entering, establishing dealer networks, and offering cutting-edge technology and design at competitive prices. This benefits consumers and drives innovation.
The sales uptick is a clear indicator of solid growth, with incentives ramping up in February. YTD EV sales have almost doubled in 2026, making it the strongest year yet for battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption.
For a deeper dive into EV sales data, check out our database here: [Insert Link].
Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop, is a mechanical engineer with a passion for reducing transport emissions in Australia. Based in Melbourne, carloop specializes in Australian EV data, insight reports, and trends. Riz currently drives a red Tesla Model 3 and is dedicated to sharing his expertise and insights with the world.
Related Topics:
- BYD
- EV Sales
- Tesla
So, what do you think about the future of EVs in Australia? Are we on the cusp of an electric revolution? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
