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

Australia is experiencing a surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales, with almost 158,000 EVs sold in the first half of 2026, marking a significant increase from all of 2025. EVs now account for one in four new cars sold, up from 12.1% in the first half of 2025 to 25.8% this year. While the surge in EV sales is evident, the growth of electric trucks remains far behind.

The increase in EV sales is driven by various factors, including fuel price volatility due to the US-Iran war and the growing range of electric models available. Fully electric vehicles saw a 120% sales growth compared to the same period last year, while plug-in hybrids increased by 112%. If this trend continues, over 200,000 fully electric vehicles are expected to be sold this year.

Australia has also caught up with the global average for EV adoption, offering consumers a wide range of 196 models, including 125 fully electric and 71 plug-in hybrids. Chinese manufacturers, such as BYD, have entered the market, with their affordable and larger models gaining popularity. The shift towards EVs varies among vehicle types, with buses being the fastest-electrified category, while trucks still lag significantly.

Despite the rapid growth in EV sales, Australia's charging infrastructure is still not fully equipped to support the demand. There are over 4,200 public charging locations across the country, but access remains uneven. Rural areas, such as the Northern Territory and South Australia, have far fewer ultra-fast charging points compared to more densely populated regions like Tasmania, Western Australia, and the ACT.

This uneven distribution poses challenges for EV owners, particularly those without access to private charging options like apartment dwellers or households without off-street parking.

To meet the increasing demand and achieve Australia's emissions targets, the charging infrastructure needs to expand rapidly. The report suggests that Australia would need roughly five million fully electric vehicles on the road by 2035 to remain on track. However, expanding charging infrastructure and ensuring convenient access for all EV owners, especially in the context of freight and logistics, will be crucial for the successful integration of electric vehicles into Australia's transportation system.