Electric vehicle sales in Australia experience a revival due to the success of the Model Y, along with contributions from Geely, BYD, and Kia.
Electric Vehicle Sales Boom in Australia: Tesla Leads, Chinese Brands Gain Ground
Australia's electric vehicle (EV) market continued its upward trajectory in May 2025, with Tesla and Chinese brands like BYD, MG, and Great Wall Motors leading the charge.
Tesla maintained its position as the top-selling EV brand, with the Model 3 and Model Y remaining popular choices. However, it was the Chinese EV brands that showed the most significant growth, expanding their presence in the Australian market.
The total EV sales volume for May was 10,065, marking a milestone as it was the first time sales exceeded 10,000 since March 2024. This figure is part of a broader trend in 2025, where cumulative EV sales reached tens of thousands within the first half of the year.
The Kia EV5 and Geely EX5 joined the Tesla Model Y in the top three best-selling EVs, with 703 and 511 sales respectively. Interestingly, the BYD Sealion 7, which was in the top 5 last month, dropped to the fourth spot with 488 sales in May.
The MG MG4, the successor to the affordable ZS EV, saw 106 sales during its first month of delivery. BYD took the fifth spot with the Seal sedan, outselling the Tesla Model 3 with 355 sales.
Other EV models in the top 15 for May include the BYD Dolphin, Atto 3, Tesla Model 3, Kia EV3, MG ZS EV, Polestar 4, MGS5, and Hyundai Inster.
The rise in EV sales is largely attributed to the resurgence of the Tesla Model Y and strong performances from new models from Geely, Kia, and BYD. The trend of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) sales being lower than fully battery electric sales is expected to continue as more affordable EV models enter the market.
In May, EV sales accounted for a 9.2% share of the total new car sales in Australia, compared to a 6.6% share in April. Increased competition, the rollout of new models, price decreases from end-of-financial-year offerings, and the impact of new vehicle emissions standards are expected to drive continued growth in EV sales for the year.
Detailed, model-specific sales figures are documented by industry trackers like The Driven and the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI). However, The Driven is awaiting sales data for some EV models and will update the list once the information is received.
Sources: 1. The Driven 2. Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) 3. Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) 4. ABC News 5. CarAdvice
- As the electric vehicle (EV) market in Australia experiences a surge in popularity, various lifestyle choices are incorporating these technological innovations, with gadgets such as smartphone apps for EV charging increasingly becoming essential.
- The growth in electric-vehicle sales has also sparked interest in the automotive industry, leading to developments in the technology and design of not only traditional cars but also luxury models, showcasing a fusion of cars and high-end technology.
