Electric vehicle sales in Australia have smashed through to a record high in September, with Aussie motorists snapping up more battery-powered cars than ever before. Fresh figures released Friday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) show 11 per cent of all new cars sold during the first month of Spring 2025 were electric, marking a new record as the nation accelerates toward ambitious climate targets.
September’s Numbers Show Major Shift
The latest data shows a total of 106,891 new vehicles rolled off dealership lots in September, representing a 7 per cent increase over 2024. The shift to electric vehicles has picked up serious momentum, with 76,443 EVs sold so far this year—a sharp increase from the 69,962 recorded during the same period last year. This sales boom reflects a fundamental change in how Australians think about their next car purchase.
Australians ready to make the switch aren’t just environmentally conscious early adopters anymore—they’re families, tradies, and business owners doing the math on fuel savings and realizing electric makes financial sense. The latest EV data from the EVC confirms what dealerships are seeing: people are walking in curious and driving out convinced. The year-to-date figures show consistent growth month after month, with the uptake suggesting this trend has real staying power for the long term.
Tesla and Chinese Brands Dominate Electric Sales
Tesla Model Y has solidified position as Australia’s best-selling electric vehicle, claiming third place overall among all vehicles sold in September. The popular SUV saw sales doubling from last year, reaching 3,927 units for the month. With 17,200 units sold throughout the year, the Model Y has proven it’s a genuine mainstream choice for Australian families, not just an expensive tech toy.
Following closely behind, BYD Sealion 7 emerged as a serious contender, recording 1,887 sales and placing second in EV sales for September. The Chinese manufacturer’s explosive 149.8 per cent increase demonstrates how quickly new players can grab market share. Tesla Model 3 secured 736 sales, while Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) recorded 4,491 sales or 4.4 per cent of the market, lifting their year-to-date share to 4.2 per cent. These numbers show buyers aren’t just jumping straight to full electric—many are taking the hybrid route as a stepping stone.
Traditional Utes Still Rule Despite EV Growth
Despite all the electric excitement, Toyota HiLux returned to the top spot as Australia’s best-selling vehicle in September, achieving 5,047 sales. Ford Ranger came in with 8,003 sales, practically matched against its September 2024 figures by just three fewer units. These prove that while electric is growing fast, tradies still trust their workhorses.
Toyota led all brands with 18,318 sales, up 1.1% from 18,110 in September 2024. Ford held second with 8,300 sales at -0.04%, while Kia took third with 7,330 sales despite a -4.2% decline. Mazda dropped -14.2% to 7,034 sales. Hyundai surged +15.4% to 6,501 sales, showing manufacturers who’ve diversified into electric are finding success.
China Becomes Second-Largest Vehicle Source
China has become Australia’s second-largest country of origin for vehicles, marking a massive shift in global automotive power. Following a record August result that saw Chinese brands taking four out of 10 spots, Chinese-made vehicles surged 67.7 per cent year-on-year, cementing their position as legitimate competitors.
BYD posted staggering numbers with +178.4% growth, climbing from 1,826 sales to 5,084, securing sixth place overall. GWM achieved +30.1% growth with 4,945 sales, while Tesla recorded +76.0% growth with 4,663 sales. MG rounded out the top 10 with 4,011 sales and +4.4% growth. Chery slipped to 12th place but still posted a higher month-on-month result. Models like Chery Tiggo 4, BYD Sealion 7, and GWM Haval Jolion proved themselves strong performers, claiming spots among popular models. The rise of China as a major source reflects their investment in electric technology.
Government Targets and Industry Warnings
The federal government has laid down a 2035 climate target that requires a 62 to 70 per cent decrease in emissions from 2005 levels, creating mounting pressure to slash transport emissions. The Climate Change Authority says half of all light vehicles sold between now and 2035 must be electric, with 5 million EVs needed on the road—20 times the number today.
Julie Delvecchio, Chief Executive of the EVC, said more support needed to reach these ambitious goal figures. “One in every two cars sold this decade must be electric. That means we need to shift gears and support more Australians to make the switch,” she explained. “Decarbonising heavy vehicles is just as critical. Fewer emissions, cleaner air, quieter streets, fuel savings, and a more stable grid—that’s the power of more EVs on roads.”
However, Honda Australia’s Chief Executive Jay Joseph issued a stark warning about rising costs of hybrid vehicles under current government policies, as reported by The Australian. Joseph cautioned that hybrids may fail to meet the stringent requirements of the National Vehicle Emissions Standards (NVES), which aim to reduce emissions from newly sold vehicles by 60 per cent by 2030. “Most hybrids will be above the compliance threshold next July,” Mr Joseph said. “We want to minimise how much we pass along to consumers, but we can’t bear costs without passing them on.” Honda is committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, but policies putting upward pressure on price could deter people from buying new cars. Honda expects to be 50 per cent hybrid by end of this year, rising to 75 per cent next year.
