{"id":3647,"date":"2026-04-12T03:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-12T03:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/climatevdo.com\/?p=3647"},"modified":"2026-04-15T23:38:32","modified_gmt":"2026-04-15T23:38:32","slug":"march-sees-record-new-plugin-vehicle-sales-in-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/climatevdo.com\/?p=3647","title":{"rendered":"March Sees Record New Plugin Vehicle Sales in Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Ever increasing petrol and diesel prices are fueling a surge in interest in plugin cars. As reported by CleanTechnica<\/em> here<\/a> and here<\/a>. It looks like every second-hand EV has sold and the ones still available have increased in price. But what about the new car market?<\/p>\n

David and Hyundai Elexio. 288 already sold. Photo courtesy of Majella Waterworth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Data released in the last week about new car sales in Australia tell the exciting story. Mainstream media has picked this up<\/a> and reports massive ongoing orders for the next three months at least. BYD Australia, alone, has ordered 30,000 cars for delivery. So, when we consider the March figures, we need to remember \u2014 this is just the tip of the tsunami! (Don\u2019t you just love mixed metaphors?)\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"March<\/a>
Plenty of BYDs, and more to come. Photo courtesy of Majella Waterworth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In March, in Australia, 15,839 BEVs were sold, out of a total market of 105,058. Add to this the 8,215 PHEVs sold and you have a total of 24,054 cars with a plug. Almost 23% of the market could run primarily on sun-sourced free electricity. In an ideal world on a sunny day, of course. This is the highest monthly share in Australia on record,<\/a> and it will only increase over the coming quarter. A year-on-year 90% increase, and a month-on-month of increase of 42%. Most of these sales were made before (yes, before) the Iran-Israel-US war sent prices into the stratosphere \u2014 passing the returning lunar module, no doubt. Petrol in Australia is currently selling for around AU$2.23 a litre, diesel around AU$3.30.<\/p>\n

\"March
Yesterday\u2019s petrol prices. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Milton.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The market is responding to the anguished cries of buyers\u2019 wallets. The sales of cars running purely on petrol dropped 21%, and on diesel 10%. The total market declined 3%. For those who like graphs, there are some great ones here<\/a> \u2014 thanks, James.<\/p>\n

The top ten for Australian battery-electric vehicle sales in March 2026 are (drum roll):<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tesla Model Y \u2014 2,818 sales | year to date \u2014 5,897<\/li>\n
  2. BYD Sealion 7 \u2014 1,970 sales | year to date \u2014 4,468<\/li>\n
  3. Zeekr 7X \u2014 679 sales | year to date \u2014 1,725<\/li>\n
  4. Tesla Model 3 \u2014 667 sales | year to date \u2014 1,363<\/li>\n
  5. Geely EX5 \u2014 606 sales | year to date \u2014 1,437<\/li>\n
  6. Kia EV5 \u2014 587 sales | year to date \u2014 1,148<\/li>\n
  7. BYD Atto 2 \u2014 572 sales | year to date \u2014 1,484<\/li>\n
  8. Omoda Jaecoo J5 \u2014 569 sales | year to date \u2014 1,153<\/li>\n
  9. BYD Atto 1 \u2014 488 sales | year to date \u2014 1,082<\/li>\n
  10. MG S5 \u2014 475 sales | year to date \u2014 765<\/li>\n
  11. BYD Atto 3 \u2014 466 sales | year to date \u2014 1,064<\/li>\n
  12. Kia EV3 \u2014 461 sales | year to date \u2014 861<\/li>\n
  13. MG 4 \u2014 451 sales | year to date \u2014 1,016<\/li>\n
  14. Toyota BZ4X \u2014 447 sales | year to date \u2014 840<\/li>\n
  15. BYD Dolphin \u2014 373 sales | year to date \u2014 905<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    In the battle for the brands, BYD outsold Tesla. BYD has five models in the top 15, whereas Tesla just has two. BYD sold a total of 4,206 BEVs in March, beating Tesla\u2019s 3,485, \u201calthough the Model Y regained its position as the top selling EV with 2,818 \u2014 which would put it at number 3 in the overall list behind the popular Ford and Toyota diesel utes.\u201d Australia desperately needs competition from capable utes. It is noteworthy that KMG sold 33 of their \u201creal\u201d utes in March<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    BYD\u2019s March sales total would swell to 7,217 when we include its PHEV range.<\/p>\n

    I took the list to 15 so that I could include Toyota, which is still doing remarkably well, considering its antipathy to EVs and its still not quite up to par offerings. I wish the Japanese carmakers well \u2014 we need them to participate wholeheartedly in the rEVolution.<\/p>\n

    More from a recent Toyota Australia press release<\/a>: \u201cThe bZ4X, which recorded 1,041 sales in 2025, is now forecast to achieve more than 5,000 sales in 2026. This result is supported by the introduction of the upgraded bZ4X in late 2025, new bZ4X Touring variant \u2013 expected to arrive in Q2\u2026.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The Atto 1, current leader in the small price war, sold as many units as the similarly priced petrol Kia Picanto. Prices appear to moving downwards across all vehicle segments at the moment, and then there are offers, freebies, and discounts on top of that. Makes it very difficult to state a firm price.<\/p>\n

    \"March
    BYD Atto 1 is moving up the sales charts in 2026. Photo courtesy of Majella Waterworth.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Despite the evidence of hard data from sales and orders, there are still some in the automobile establishment who question the transition, wondering whether this will be just a blip and things will return to \u201cnormal\u201d once the current war is over.<\/p>\n

    Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries chief executive Tony Weber opines<\/a>: \u201cIt is too early to determine whether this represents a structural shift in the market. More consumers are considering EVs due to the disruption to fuel supply caused by conflict in the Middle East, along with the review into the fringe benefits tax concession for EVs.\u201d He cites the main issue delaying EV takeup \u2014 lack of public charging infrastructure. He finds himself in a difficult position, the FCAI has long been a bastion of Western legacy fossil fuelled brands, but now finds itself having to represent upstart Chinese EV brands also.<\/p>\n

    Mr Weber continues: \u201cThe automotive industry would welcome a sustained shift to EVs, given its substantial investment in bringing more than 100 EV models to the Australian market and the industry\u2019s efforts to meet ambitious New Vehicle Efficiency Standards targets. A long-term shift to EVs will require Australian governments to sharpen their focus on public charging infrastructure, particularly in regional areas and locations where home charging is not practical. Ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with consumer demand will be critical to enabling sustainable growth in EV adoption beyond short-term influences.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Always got to find a dead cockroach in the cake!<\/p>\n

    Countering this narrative is Julia Del Vecchio, CEO of The Electric Vehicle Council, which lobbies on behalf of the EV industry. She is in no doubt about the indications from data \u2014 it is a structural shift in the market<\/a>. \u201cVolatile global oil markets are changing the conversation,\u201d says EVC head Julie Delvecchio. \u201cAustralians aren\u2019t asking whether EVs are the future anymore. They\u2019re asking which one they can get their hands on, and when.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cWith fuel prices rising, every EV on the road is doing something simple but powerful \u2013 taking pressure off fuel supply for the people who need it most.<\/em><\/p>\n

    \u201cEV drivers are driving the country\u2019s fuel resilience while cutting costs on their household budget. This has never been more important than now, given the PM\u2019s address urging people to use petrol and diesel responsibly and \u2018save fuel for people who have no choice but to drive.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

    Headlines in the mass media have changed and become more positive. This morning my newsfeed contained the following headlines: \u201cThe end of range anxiety,\u201d citing the new long-range batteries being fitted into electric cars. \u201cCheaper than a Corolla,\u201d citing the prices of BYD\u2019s economical range. The Melbourne auto show<\/a> is on at the moment, full of Chinese EVs. The headlines are pointing out which carmakers are not there! Toyota, Ford, Mazda, amongst others.<\/p>\n

    It seems like a new EV is launched each week. Here are a few we are hearing about: Great Wall Motor\u2019s new ORA 5, the MG4 Urban, the Subaru Trailseeker, Geely\u2019s EX2, a variety of electric vans, BYD\u2019s Denza (complete with flash charging capability). And I hear whispers of new electric vans, and more price wars. Sadly, there are still no Cadillacs<\/a> reported sold into the Australian market.<\/p>\n

    The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, renewable energy is flowing into the grid as Australians embrace energy security by adding batteries and battery-powered vehicles to their lifestyle. It is becoming a bright future indeed.<\/p>\n

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