Electric Cars in Australia: The Honest 2026 Buyer's Guide
One in seven new cars sold in Australia last month was electric. That is not a forecast from a lobby group. It is the March 2026 VFACTS number: a record 14.6% battery-electric share, up 88.9% year on year. If you have been waiting for the EV market to mature before jumping in, the market has already moved past you.
- 13.1% of new cars sold in Australia in 2025 were electric (156,857 units, up 38.3% year on year).
- The Tesla Model Y is still the best-selling EV, but BYD delivered 13,410 Sealion 7s in its debut year and is closing fast.
- There are now 20 EVs priced under $40,000 drive-away in Australia, and two under $30,000.
- The QLD $3,000 rebate closed on 2 September 2024. Any article that still lists it is out of date. The FBT exemption on novated leases is the real saving now.
- Brisbane to Cairns is a regular EV weekend thanks to the Queensland Electric Super Highway (50+ sites).
- Selling a petrol car in SEQ? Sell Any Car Fast buys across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich and Logan with same-day bank transfer.
The 2026 EV Reality Check
There is a lot of noise online about EV adoption in Australia. Some of it is breathless ("sales up 1000%!"), some of it is the opposite ("nobody wants them"). Neither is true. Here is what the data actually says, straight from the Electric Vehicle Council and VFACTS:
- 156,857 EVs sold in Australia in 2025, a 38.3% increase over 2024.
- Battery EVs crossed 100,000 units in a calendar year for the first time (103,270).
- Plug-in hybrids more than doubled (up 134.5%) before the FBT exemption on PHEVs ended on 1 April 2025.
- EV share of new vehicle sales reached 13.1% for calendar 2025, up from 9.6% the year before.
- March 2026 set a new record: 15,839 BEVs sold, 14.6% market share, up 88.9% year on year.
- Queensland has around 71,000 EVs on the road and captured roughly 30% of 2025 EV deliveries nationally. We over-index.
Why did March go vertical? Fuel. Diesel cracked $3.00/L across South East Queensland and unleaded sat above $2.50/L for most of the month. I wrote a separate piece on exactly this, how QLD fuel prices are pushing drivers into EVs , and it is now the most-read post on this site.
The Best-Selling Electric Cars in Australia 2025
If you want to know what Australians actually bought with their own money, not what reviewers said they should buy, here is the top five, sourced from CarExpert's full-year VFACTS tally.
| Rank | Model | 2025 Sales | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | ~22,239 | Still the king. #3 new car overall in March 2026, behind only the Ranger and HiLux. |
| 2 | BYD Sealion 7 | 13,410 | Debut year. A direct Model Y competitor that didn't exist 18 months ago. |
| 3 | Tesla Model 3 | 6,617 | Sales down 61%. Most of those buyers went to the Sealion 7 and Kia EV5. |
| 4 | Kia EV5 | 4,787 | Up 687%. Made in China, priced aggressively, 7-year warranty. |
| 5 | Geely EX5 | 3,944 | Geely's Australian relaunch, strong value play. |
Tesla as a brand still holds about 30% of EV deliveries. BYD is on around 24.5% and closing fast. The days of "EV means Tesla" are over. In my yard, Chinese brands are now the majority of used EV trade-ins we see each week.
If you are cross-shopping the top of the market, the two head-to-heads worth reading on this site are XPENG G6 vs Tesla Model Y and whether the Zeekr 001 is coming to Australia.
The Cheapest Electric Cars in Australia Right Now
Two years ago the entry point to a new EV in Australia was around $45,000 drive-away. Today there are 20 models under $40,000, three under $35,000, and two under $30,000. For the first time ever, a brand-new EV is cheaper than a base Toyota Corolla.
| Model | Price (AUD) | Range (WLTP) | Body |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYD Atto 1 | $23,990 + ORC | ~300 km | City hatch |
| BYD Dolphin Essential | $29,990 + ORC | 340 km | Hatch |
| MG4 Urban | $31,990 drive-away | 350 km | Hatch |
| BYD Atto 2 | $35,990 + ORC | 312 km | Small SUV |
| Jaecoo J5 EV | $36,990 drive-away | 402 km | Small SUV |
| GWM Ora | ~$37,990 drive-away | 310 km | Hatch |
The trade-off at this price is range (typically 300 to 400 km WLTP) and interior materials. For a second car, a commuter, or a two-EV household, that is plenty. For the family road trip to Noosa, look at the Jaecoo J5 EV. It is the only sub-$40k option on this list that comfortably does Brisbane to the Sunshine Coast and back on a single charge with the air-con running, thanks to its 58.9 kWh battery and 402 km WLTP range. It also carries an 8-year, unlimited-kilometre vehicle and battery warranty, which undercuts everyone except BYD on peace of mind. If you want to see one, the closest SEQ showroom is Omoda Jaecoo Springwood (3405 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek).
Incentives That Actually Exist in 2026
The Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate Scheme ran out of funding and closed at 11:59pm on 2 September 2024. Any article you read in 2026 that still lists it is out of date. There is no replacement program currently legislated. Source: QRIDA.
If you salary-package a battery EV under the Luxury Car Tax threshold for fuel-efficient vehicles ($91,387 for FY2026/27) through a novated lease, the fringe benefits tax on the car is zero. For a PAYG earner in the 37% tax bracket, that is worth $15,000 to $25,000 over a 3 to 5 year lease, considerably more than the rebate ever was. Source: ATO Electric Cars Exemption.
Important: PHEVs lost this exemption on 1 April 2025. Only battery EVs and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles qualify now. The exemption itself is under review between February 2026 and mid 2027, so if novated leasing is part of your plan, the window is open but not guaranteed forever. Queensland also still charges reduced registration on zero-emission vehicles and applies the lowest stamp-duty band to EVs.
Charging an EV in Queensland
"Range anxiety" is a 2019 concern. In 2026, Queensland has 235 public charging locations (139 fast and 96 ultra-fast), and the Queensland Electric Super Highway stretches from Coolangatta to Port Douglas with over 50 sites. Brisbane to Cairns in a BYD Sealion 7 is now a regular weekend, not an expedition.
For day to day ownership, most Brisbane households will charge at home off a standard wall outlet (slow but sufficient if you drive under 60 km a day) or a 7 kW wall box (full overnight charge). The apartment-dweller problem is real, but every major Westfield and most inner-city Woolworths and Coles carparks in SEQ now have at least one charger.
Where to See (and Test Drive) EVs in South East Queensland
If you live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan or Redlands, these are the dealers currently stocking battery-electric vehicles. Every dealer below links to its Google Maps listing so you get the current address, phone number, opening hours and directions in one click.
Tesla
- Tesla Fortitude Valley , 1062 Ann St
- Tesla Upper Mount Gravatt , 1922 Logan Rd
- Tesla Southport , 78 Nerang St
BYD
Polestar
- Polestar Brisbane , 773 Ann St, Fortitude Valley
MG Motor
- Brisbane MG Moorooka
- Llewellyn MG Ipswich , 246 Brisbane Rd, Booval
- Sunco MG Maroochydore
- Frizelle Sunshine MG , Gold Coast
Jaecoo / Omoda Jaecoo
- Omoda Jaecoo Springwood , 3405 Pacific Hwy, Slacks Creek
- Omoda Jaecoo Brisbane City
- Omoda Jaecoo Gold Coast
- Omoda Jaecoo Maroochydore
Hyundai (IONIQ 5, IONIQ 6, Kona EV)
- Aspley Hyundai
- Northside Hyundai Nundah
- Moorooka Hyundai
- Keema Hyundai Mount Gravatt
- Keema Hyundai Springwood
- Bartons Hyundai Capalaba
- Lakes Hyundai North Lakes
- Llewellyn Hyundai Ipswich
- Gold Coast Hyundai Southport
- Robina Hyundai
- Pacific Hyundai Sunshine Coast
Kia (EV3, EV5, EV6, EV9)
- Zupps Kia Mt Gravatt
- Motorama Kia Moorooka
- Metro Kia Brisbane
- Cricks Highway Kia Springwood
- Ipswich Kia Bundamba
- Keystar Kia Morayfield
- Sunshine Kia Southport
Volvo
- Volvo Cars Brisbane North , Fortitude Valley
- Volvo Cars Springwood
- Volvo Cars Gold Coast
- Volvo Cars Sunshine Coast
BMW (i4, i5, i7, iX, iX1, iX2, iX3)
- Brisbane BMW Fortitude Valley
- Motorline BMW Daisy Hill
- Westside BMW
- Gold Coast BMW
- Coastline BMW Sunshine Coast
Mercedes-Benz (EQ range)
- Mercedes-Benz Brisbane , Fortitude Valley
- Mercedes-Benz Macgregor , 601 Mains Rd
- Mercedes-Benz Gold Coast
- Mercedes-Benz Sunshine Coast , Maroochydore
Audi (Q4, Q6, Q8 e-tron)
- Audi Centre Brisbane , Fortitude Valley
- Audi Indooroopilly
- Audi Centre South Brisbane
- Audi Centre Gold Coast
Porsche (Taycan, Macan EV)
- Porsche Centre Brisbane , Newstead
- Porsche Studio Brisbane , Indooroopilly
- Porsche Centre Gold Coast , Southport
Genesis (GV60, Electrified GV70, Electrified G80)
- Genesis Brisbane , Fortitude Valley
- Genesis Gold Coast
GWM (Ora, Haval EVs)
- Hillcrest GWM
- Moorooka GWM
- North Lakes GWM
- Metro GWM Brisbane
- Westpoint GWM Indooroopilly
- Southport GWM Gold Coast
- Maroochydore GWM
- Caloundra GWM
CUPRA (Born)
- CUPRA Brisbane , Fortitude Valley
- CUPRA Indooroopilly
Peugeot (e-2008, e-208, e-308)
- Brisbane City Peugeot
- East Coast Peugeot Acacia Ridge
- Von Bibra Peugeot Gold Coast
- A. Cullen & Son Peugeot Nambour
Volkswagen (ID.4, ID.5, ID.Buzz)
- Austral Volkswagen Newstead
- Norris Motor Group VW Kedron
- Macgregor Volkswagen
- Ipswich Volkswagen
- Cricks Highway Volkswagen Springwood
- Gold Coast Volkswagen Southport
- Robina Volkswagen
Nissan (LEAF, Ariya)
- Village Nissan North Lakes
- Aspley Nissan
- Motorama Nissan Browns Plains
- Caboolture Nissan
- Von Bibra Nissan Ashmore
- Sunshine Coast Nissan
MINI (Cooper Electric, Aceman, Countryman Electric)
Lexus (RZ, UX300e)
- Lexus of Brisbane , Fortitude Valley
- Lexus Indooroopilly
- Lexus Springwood
- Lexus of Southport
- Lexus Maroochydore
Toyota (bZ4X)
- Sci-Fleet Toyota Kedron
- Motorama Toyota Moorooka
- Torque Toyota North Lakes
- Downtown Toyota Brisbane
- Oldmac Toyota Springwood
- Llewellyn Toyota Booval
- Grand Motors Toyota Gold Coast
Ford (Mustang Mach-E)
Subaru (Solterra)
- Llewellyn Subaru Booval
- Bartons Subaru Wynnum
- Cricks Highway Subaru Springwood
- Cricks Maroochydore Subaru
XPENG (G6, G9)
Zeekr (X, 7X, 009)
smart (#1, #3)
Leapmotor (C10)
Deepal (S07, E07)
- Brisbane Deepal , Newstead
Chery (Omoda E5, Tiggo PHEVs)
Dealer list current as at April 2026. Network changes fast. XPENG, Zeekr, Leapmotor and Deepal are all still expanding their SEQ footprint.
Used Teslas: The Hidden Bargain of 2026
Here is something the new-car press will not tell you. When the Tesla Model 3 dropped 61% in 2025 as buyers migrated to the BYD Sealion 7 and Kia EV5, resale values on 2022 to 2024 Model 3s softened hard. A 2023 Model 3 RWD that stickered at $65,000 is now trading in the $38,000 to $44,000 range depending on kilometres and battery health. That is a near-new, over-the-air-updated, Supercharger-networked EV for less than the price of a new MG4.
I have been buying these at auction and from private sellers across South East Queensland, checking every car's battery state of health on the diagnostic port, and selling them on at prices that make new-car buyers stop and think. If you want to skip the new-car depreciation cliff and land in an EV this month instead of joining a waitlist, talk to me directly.
Is Now the Right Time to Buy an EV in Australia?
Short answer: if you drive more than 12,000 km a year, yes. Here is the maths for a typical Brisbane commuter.
| Scenario | Consumption | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol SUV (9 L/100 km) | 15,000 km × $2.50/L | $3,375 |
| EV (17 kWh/100 km, off-peak home) | 15,000 km × 30 c/kWh | $765 |
| Annual saving | $2,610 |
Over a typical 5-year ownership cycle, that is $13,000 back in your pocket at current fuel prices, before you factor in lower servicing, no oil changes, and reduced rego in QLD. The catch is the upfront price premium, which is why novated leasing has become the smart buyer's play. You finance the car pre-tax, the FBT exemption erases the premium, and the fuel savings start from day one.
The one group I would tell to wait: if you drive under 8,000 km a year and your current car is already paid off, the numbers do not quite pencil out yet. Run it into the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest electric car in Australia in 2026?
The BYD Atto 1 is the cheapest new EV in Australia at $23,990 plus on-road costs. The cheapest electric SUV is the Jaecoo J5 EV at $36,990 drive-away, which offers 402 km of WLTP range and an 8-year warranty.
How many EVs were sold in Australia in 2025?
A total of 156,857 electric vehicles were sold in Australia in 2025, a 38.3% increase over 2024. Battery EVs crossed 100,000 units for the first time, and EVs reached 13.1% of all new vehicle sales.
Is the Queensland EV rebate still available?
No. The Queensland Zero Emission Vehicle Rebate closed permanently at 11:59 pm on 2 September 2024. The main financial incentive for EV buyers now is the federal FBT exemption on novated leases for battery-electric vehicles under the $91,387 Luxury Car Tax threshold.
What is the best-selling EV in Australia?
The Tesla Model Y was Australia's best-selling EV in 2025 with approximately 22,239 units. It was also the third best-selling new car overall in March 2026, behind only the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux.
How long does it take to charge an electric car in Australia?
On a standard home wall outlet, an EV will add around 10 km of range per hour. A 7 kW home wall box will fully charge most EVs overnight. On a 130 kW public DC fast charger, like those on the Queensland Electric Super Highway, most modern EVs go from 30% to 80% battery in about 25 to 30 minutes.
Do electric cars hold their value in Australia?
Not as well as they used to. The flood of affordable Chinese EVs through 2025 has softened used EV prices significantly, particularly for the Tesla Model 3, which has dropped around 40% from its 2023 sticker price. That is bad news for current owners but excellent news for used EV buyers.
What is the best electric car to buy in Australia in 2026?
For most buyers the Tesla Model Y remains the all-round benchmark on range, software and charging network. The BYD Sealion 7 is the value alternative at roughly the same size and performance. Under $40,000, the sweet spot is between the BYD Atto 2 and the Jaecoo J5 EV. Over $60,000, the XPENG G6 and Kia EV6 GT-Line are the cars to shortlist.
Selling Your Petrol Car Before You Switch
If you are in South East Queensland and you are ready to make the EV switch, the hardest part is not choosing the car. It is getting rid of the one already sitting in the driveway. Dealer trade-ins are designed to give you the worst possible number on your old car so the new-car salesperson can look like a hero on the discount. I do the opposite.
I come to you anywhere across Brisbane, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Ipswich, Logan or Redlands, inspect your car on site, make a firm offer, and pay by same-day bank transfer the moment you accept. No haggling over trade-in value. No waiting for finance approval. No "we'll call you back."
Selling your petrol car in South East Queensland? Get a free valuation →
