Australian battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales have reached 71,144 units during the first five months of 2026, according to data compiled by The Driven using figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), and individual manufacturers.
The figures highlight the rapid growth of Australia’s EV market, with a mix of established brands and new Chinese entrants climbing the sales charts.
Read more: VFACTS May 2026: The numbers behind the record EV month
Tesla Model Y remains Australia’s EV benchmark
The Tesla Model Y is comfortably Australia’s best-selling EV so far this year, recording 12,324 deliveries between January and May 2026.
A massive 5,605 Model Ys were delivered in May alone, helping Tesla rebound after a quieter start to the year. The Model Y’s strong performance also contributed to Tesla becoming the second-best-selling EV brand in Australia year-to-date. The Tesla Model 3 ranked seventh among EV models with 2,594 deliveries.
Read more: Top-selling car models in Australia for May 2026 (VFACTS)
BYD dominates the brand race
While Tesla has the country’s best-selling EV, BYD remains Australia’s largest EV brand overall. The Chinese automaker has delivered 19,018 electric vehicles in 2026, giving it a substantial lead over Tesla’s 14,918 units. Several BYD models feature prominently in the sales rankings, including:
- BYD Sealion 7: 7,786 sales
- BYD Atto 2: 2,919 sales
- BYD Atto 1: 2,383 sales
- BYD Atto 3: 2,375 sales
Combined, these models have helped BYD maintain a commanding position in Australia’s growing EV market.
Read more: Top-selling car brands in Australia for May 2026 (VFACTS)
New Chinese brands gain momentum
One of the biggest stories of 2026 has been the rapid rise of new Chinese EV brands. The Geely EX5 has amassed 4,453 sales year-to-date, making it Australia’s third-best-selling electric vehicle.
Meanwhile, the Omoda Jaecoo J5 has recorded 4,017 sales, while the Zeekr 7X has achieved 3,664 deliveries. The strong performance of these newcomers highlights the increasing competition facing traditional carmakers and established EV brands.
Read more: Top-selling SUVs in Australia for May 2026
Kia leads legacy manufacturers
Among established mainstream brands, Kia remains the standout performer. The Kia EV5 has recorded 2,379 sales so far in 2026, helping Kia secure third place in the EV brand rankings with 4,666 deliveries. Other strong performers include MG (4,001 sales), Volkswagen (1,922), Hyundai (1,852), and Toyota (1,540).
Automaker groups reveal shifting market dynamics
Looking at manufacturer groups, BYD Auto remains Australia’s largest EV group with 19,037 deliveries, ahead of Tesla Inc on 14,918 Geely Holding Group, which includes Geely, Volvo, Polestar, Lotus and Zeekr brands, has emerged as a major force with 10,536 EV sales.
Hyundai Motor Group, comprising Hyundai, Kia and Genesis, follows with 6,536 deliveries. The data reinforces the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers, which now account for a significant share of Australia’s EV market and are increasingly challenging established global brands.
Australia’s EV market continues to expand
With more than 71,000 battery-electric vehicles sold in the first five months of 2026, the Australian EV market remains on track for another strong year despite broader fluctuations in the overall new-car market.
Tesla’s Model Y may currently be leading the individual model rankings, but BYD’s broader lineup and the arrival of new Chinese competitors suggest Australia’s EV landscape is becoming more competitive than ever.
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