“Structural Shift” Continues in Australia’s Car Market — June Update

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Even Tony Weber, CEO of the Federal Automotive Industry lobby group, and long sceptical of EVs, is now acknowledging that Australia is going through a “paradigm shift.”

“The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry,” Mr Weber said. “Global uncertainty, including conflict in the Middle East and volatility in petrol prices, appears to have sharpened consumer interest in vehicles that reduce exposure to fuel prices. While these factors have had a short-term impact, part of the EV growth would appear to be a permanent structural shift.” Wow!

Sales of plug-in vehicles have doubled year on year. It is worth noting that this shift accelerated even before the ill-advised war on Iran.

Of the 140,058 light vehicles sold in June 2026, almost 36% came with a plug. Readers may note that this is a similar percentage to last month. However, the total market sales in June are significantly higher, and thus so are the numbers of plug-ins sold. Penetration has tripled since January 2026, with most cars coming from China. BYD is now the second highest selling brand in Australia, just behind Toyota. Over 32,570 BEVs and 17,000 PHEVs sold into the Australian market in June 2026. Year on year, Australia has seen an almost 30% decline in pure petrol cars and almost a 20% decline in diesel sales.

As for models, the Tesla Model Y was the highest seller of all powertrains, with 8,702 sales. It was followed by the Ford Ranger (made in Thailand), with 5,999 sales. Then there was the Toyota Hilux with 5,175 sales; the BYD Sealion 7 with 4,730 sales; the Toyota RAV4 with 4,115 sales; and the BYD Shark 6 with 3,398 sales. Are we now entering the upward part of the S curve? Only time will tell.

The top ten all-electric lineup for June 2026 was (drum roll):

1. Tesla Model Y: 8,702 (year to date 20,396)
2. BYD Sealion 7: 4,730 (YTD 12,516)
3. BYD Att0 2: 2,482 (YTD 5,401)
4. Geely EX 5: 2,303 (YTD 6,756)
5. Omoda Jaecoo J5: 1,959 (YTD 5,976)
6. Zeekr 7X: 1,858 (YTD 5,532)
7. BYD Atto 1: 871 (YTD 3,254)
8. MG4 Urban: 1,015 (YTD 1,015)
9. Kia EV3: 821 (YTD 2,658)
10. BYD Seal: 769 (YTD 2,654)

Notable mentions: the Tesla Model 3, which sold only 598 units, and the Kia EV5, which sold 572. The MG4 Urban hit the chart — making the top ten on debut. Toyota/Subaru continue to struggle, with the Solterra selling only 73 vehicles in June and the BZ4X managing to deliver 192.

Every day, new vehicles are being launched, the latest being the BEV Hilux. Toyota notes that there has been far more interest in this BEV version than they expected. Really, who would have thought!

The ute comes with a high price, low specs, and only 300 km electric driving — but, still, people want to buy one. Toyota’s press release notes that there have been over 300 orders for the BEV ute — mostly from fleet buyers and the mining industry. Hopefully Toyota will get the message and join the rEVolution wholeheartedly.

GAC does not report its sales, but judging by the number we saw sitting waiting for delivery at Bartons, they must be substantial. 

PHEV sales were dominated by the BYD Shark 6, which sold almost 3400 vehicles, double its sales in May. The BYD Shark 6 ute was Australia’s third best-selling ute and sixth most popular vehicle. The BYD Sealion 6 sold 2,218 units; and as we have previously reported the Sealion 8 sold 1,961 cars. BYD is obviously dominating the PHEV portion of the market.

On debut to dealerships in June 2026 is the Toyota RAV4 PHEV. Also, this month we expect to see the Mazda 6e and the Suzuki eVitara. We’ll keep a close eye on the stats and see how the Japanese automakers are doing, a day late and a dollar too many. The Chinese continue to innovate older models and bring new ones out to the Australian market. Great Wall is an example of this, with the ORA recently relaunched as the ORA 5 SUV (here now), plus an all-new ORA 5 Hatch and ORA midsize SUV. In my humble opinion, the ORA has never really achieved its potential in the Australian market. Hopefully it will now do so.

The Tesla Model Y L is now selling in Australia. We went and checked it out — great value for money. We were tempted, but I fear that if we buy a car capable of taking the grandkids and their friends to footy training, it will get filled up every weekend. We are planning to buy a standard Model Y, though, as our aging bodies are finding it hard to get into and out of our beloved Model 3. Speaking of grandkids, my eight-year-old wisely asked the question: “Grandad, do you think that will come a time when all the cars on the highway are electric?” Of course, you can guess my answer. Hope I am still around to see it.

In the news this week, Volvo has commenced making BEV buses in Australia — more on this in an upcoming article. Also, Ed Darmanin continues his electric bike ride circumnavigating Australia. Links to his epic trip can be found in this article. And, in a blast from the past, Rod Walker got in touch. I feared his nascent business installing kerbside chargers had hit a rocky patch. Just the opposite — he has been busy installing 100 more kerb charge units in Melbourne and having conversations with Sydney councils.

Australians have more and more access to chargers, affordable EV options, rooftop solar, and home batteries — no wonder the future is bright and electric Down Under!