New sales data reveals the EV era has arrived with 2026 Tesla Model Y booming and electric models from BYD, Hyundai and Kia to follow as fuel prices skyrocket

Electric vehicle sales are booming in Australia as international and domestic factors contribute to substantial EV uptake.

The Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) data for the first quarter of 2026 reveals EV sales are up 40 per cent compared to this time last year.

In the first quarter of this year, Tesla and Polestar have sold nearly 8000 units between them, which is also a sizable increase on 2025 numbers.

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This number is likely to be even higher, with only Tesla and Polestar reporting to the EVC, meaning much of the ever-increasing range of electric cars are not part of this latest data set.

Official data for April from VFACTS will be released next week.

This includes strong selling EV models such as the Zeekr 7X, which has had a flying start to life in Australia, along with many electric BYD models.

2026 Tesla Model Y L

Tesla accumulated 3485 sales for March 2026, more than 600 extra units compared to March 2025.

The Model Y SUV continues to be the brand’s most popular model, with 2818 units shifted in March 2026, more than 1000 up on the same time last year.

Tesla will soon introduce a six-seater version of its best-seller called the Model Y L, which will arrive in the coming weeks.

2026 Tesla Model Y

The Model 3 sedan has not had the same positive sales result as its SUV sibling, with a 40 per cent drop compared to the same period last year.

Polestar has also not experienced the same sales increase, with its Polestar 2 and Polestar 3 experiencing sharp drop-offs, while Polestar 4 sales improved slightly.

This latest data comes at a time when rising fuel prices are sending demand for EVs skyrocketing.

EVC Chief Executive Julie Delvecchio said this latest data indicates an acceleration of the EV shift for Australia.

“Volatile global oil markets are changing the conversation. Australians aren't asking whether EVs are the future anymore. They're asking which one they can get their hands on, and when,” Delvecchio said.

This electric sale acceleration is also being brought on by the government's National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) which is placing pressure on brands to electrify their line-ups or face fines.

Major brands have already started hiking prices on petrol units, while introducing new EV models to offset the potential impacts of the emissions-based scheme.