Australia's April EV Sales Surge: BEVs Hit 16.4%, BYD Tops as #2 Brand

In April 2026, total new vehicle sales in Australia reached 92,591 units, up 2.2% year-on-year. Pure electric vehicle (BEV) sales hit a record high of 15,185 units, accounting for 16.4% of the overall market. Meanwhile, gasoline-powered vehicle sales declined by 30.1% year-on-year, and diesel vehicle sales fell by 21.7%. The drop in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales was driven by multiple factors, including government incentives for electric vehicles, tight crude oil supply, rising fuel prices, and localized fuel shortages. Among BEVs, the BYD Sealion 7 (Sealion 07) topped the charts with 1,780 units sold, while the Tesla Model Y saw its sales surge by 193.6% year-on-year but trailed behind by approximately 800 units. BYD as a brand sold 7,702 vehicles in the month, climbing to second place in the brand rankings—surpassing Ford and Mazda. Toyota remained the top-selling brand with 15,185 units, despite a 21.6% year-on-year decline. Kia and Hyundai ranked third and fourth respectively, while Ford and Mazda slipped to fifth and sixth. In the individual model rankings, the Toyota RAV4 retained its position as the best-selling vehicle, followed by the Ford Ranger in second place. In the electric sedan segment, the Tesla Model 3 sold 403 units, slightly ahead of the BYD Seal at 370 units. Additionally, Chinese-branded models such as the Geely Galaxy E5 and Zeekr 7X also delivered strong performances.