Electric vehicle car sales surge in Australian sales charts as top models revealed

Australians are switching to battery-powered vehicles in increasing numbers, with a huge proportion of motorists planning to make the switch. See the list.

Electric cars are surging in popularity.

New car sales figures released by the automotive industry show an enormous increase in demand for battery-powered vehicles.

Australians bought 8125 electric cars in May 2023, an extraordinary increase on 925 electric cars delivered in the same month last year.

Electric cars such as the Tesla Model Y and BYD Atto 3 are rising in popularity.

Sales statistics for may also show that Tesla’s Model Y electric SUV was the third-highest selling car for the month, beaten only by the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger utes.

Tesla delivered more than 3000 example of the Model Y in May, which was the most popular SUV in the country last month.

The data also shows that almost 1450 Australians bought a BYD Atto 3 electric car last month, a stronger result than popular models such as the Toyota Corolla and Mazda3.

The BYD Atto 3 attracted almost 1450 customers last month.

It comes as BMW published the results of a survey that found 48 per cent of Australians are open to considering an electric car for their next vehicle.

It found that 67 per cent of Australians believe electric cars represent the future of transport.

Sales of hybrid cars have fallen by 15 per cent this year as Toyota struggles to meet consumer demand.

Even so, Toyota was the best-selling brand by a clear margin in May, finishing well ahead of Mazda, Hyundai, Kia and Ford.

The Tesla Model Y is Australia’s best-selling electric car.

Australians took delivery of 105,694 cars in May 2023, a strong increase on the 94,383 sold in May last year.

Tony Weber, chief executive for the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, said the result was “a signal that we are starting to see some improvement in supply”.

“However, not all issues are resolved, and our members continue to work with their customers to improve vehicle delivery times,” he said.

Tesla has maintained strong supply of the Model Y in Australia.

“A large proportion of vehicles delivered this month would have been ordered during 2022.

“Since then, we have seen a shift in economic conditions with a focus on rising cost pressures for households and businesses. Nevertheless, reports from our members indicate that demand remains firm.”

Top 10 Manufacturers

1 – Toyota – 18340

2 – Mazda – 8475

3 – Hyundai – 7078

4 – Kia – 7000

5 – Ford – 6251

6 – MG – 4828

7 – Mitsubishi – 4583

8 – Tesla – 4476

9 – Volkswagen – 3940

10 – Subaru – 3564

The Toyota HiLux overtook Ford’s Ranger to top the charts last month.

Top 10 Models

1 -Toyota HiLux – 5772

2 – Ford Ranger – 4110

3 – Tesla Model Y – 3178

4 – Toyota RAV4 – 2616

5 – MG ZS – 2502

6 – Isuzu D-Max – 2371

7 – Toyota LandCruiser – 2303

8 – Hyundai i30 – 2163

9 – Hyundai Tucson – 1911

10 – Mitsubishi Outlander – 1880

Source: VFacts