Get ready for a thrilling ride as we dive into the world of electric vehicles (EVs) and their remarkable comeback in Australia's automotive market!
The EV Revolution Gains Momentum
EV sales in February 2026 have left us all in awe, with a staggering 11.8% market share, a significant leap from the sluggish 8.4% in January. This resurgence is led by none other than Tesla, the pioneer of the EV movement, alongside the mighty Chinese EV manufacturers BYD and Zeekr.
But here's where it gets controversial...
The main catalyst for this growth? Tesla's limited yet powerful EV lineup, which experienced an impressive sales surge during February, accounting for over 3,200 units. BYD, the leader in January, also maintained its strong performance with 2,969 sales. And this is the part most people miss: China has become the biggest source of new cars in Australia for the first time ever!
According to the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI), a whopping 7,715 battery electric vehicles were sold in Australia during February. When combined with the EVC data, the total vehicle sales for the month exceeded 94,000 units.
Most major EV manufacturers offered multiple incentives in February, contributing to these impressive sales figures. Additionally, the broader availability of recently launched affordable EV models played a significant role.
This growth is even more remarkable when compared to February 2025, where EVs accounted for only 5.9% of the market.
EV Sales Breakdown - February 2026
- FCAI vFacts: 7,715
- EVC (Polestar + Tesla): 3,419
- EV Sales Total (FCAI + EVC): 11,134
- Total Vehicle Sales (FCAI + EVC): 94,131
The first two months of 2025 saw a total of 9,516 EV sales, whereas 2026 has already witnessed 18,543 electric cars hit the roads.
In February, PHEV sales also experienced an increase, with 5,854 units sold, up from 4,871 in the same period last year.
Let's take a closer look at the top-selling EV models in February 2026:
- Tesla Model Y: 2,971 sales
- BYD Sealion 7 SUV: 1,327 sales
- Zeekr 7X: 628 sales (an impressive feat in its second month of deliveries)
- Tesla Model 3: 483 sales
- Geely EX5: 416 sales
Other notable mentions include the BYD Atto 1, Australia's most affordable EV, which achieved its highest sales month to date with 349 units.
The top-selling EVs in February 2026 were:
- Tesla Model Y: 2,791 sales
- BYD Sealion 7: 1,327 sales
- Zeekr 7X: 628 sales
- Tesla Model 3: 483 sales
- Geely EX5: 416 sales
- MG MG4: 406 sales
- BYD Atto 3: 384 sales
- Omoda Jaecoo J5: 369 sales
- BYD Atto 1: 349 sales
- BYD Atto 2: 347 sales
- BYD Seal: 302 sales
The Driven is currently awaiting sales data from various manufacturers, which will be updated once received.
February also marked a historic moment as vehicles made in China surpassed those from Japan for the first time. FCAI CEO Tony Weber commented, "After 28 years, Japan has been overtaken by China as the largest source of vehicles for the Australian market in a single month."
"The Australian market is a testament to openness and competition. New brands can enter, establish networks, and compete on price, technology, and design. Consumers reap the benefits of this healthy competition."
The sales uptick in February showcases solid growth compared to previous years, with a significant increase in incentives leading to a near-doubling of YTD EV sales in 2026. This makes it the strongest year for battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption so far.
For a deeper dive into EV sales data for each month of 2026, check out our comprehensive database here: [Insert Link].
Riz Akhtar, the founder of carloop, based in Melbourne, specializes in Australian EV data, providing insightful reports and trend analysis. With a background in mechanical engineering and a passion for reducing transport emissions, Riz spent the first seven years of his career building transport infrastructure before founding carloop. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3 and is dedicated to sharing his expertise and passion for EVs with the world.
Related Topics:
- BYD
- EV Sales
- Tesla
