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EVs, Hybrids Match Petrol Car Sales
2 Aug
Summary
- EV and hybrid sales now match petrol car purchases.
- EV sales doubled in the second quarter of 2026.
- Internal combustion engine vehicle market share lowest ever.
New data indicates a dramatic shift in the Australian automotive market, with electric and hybrid vehicle sales now matching those of traditional petrol cars. Between April and June 2026, sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) more than doubled compared to the previous quarter, marking the largest quarterly rise on record for EVs.
This surge in demand for greener alternatives occurred as fuel prices threatened to exceed $2 a litre, especially following the conclusion of the federal government's fuel excise reductions on August 2, 2026. Hybrid vehicle sales also reached unprecedented levels during this period.
Conversely, sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles experienced their biggest quarterly drop, falling to their lowest-ever market share of 50.84% in the second quarter of 2026. When data collection began in 2022, ICE cars still represented nine out of every ten vehicles sold.
The market share for pure EVs reached 21.03%, and plug-in hybrids hit 10.58%, both representing new records. This overall trend signifies a significant pivot by Australian motorists towards electric and hybrid options, driven by fluctuating fuel costs and global supply route instabilities.
