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Electric Vehicle Council - Vehicles Sales Report for August 2026

Electric Vehicle Council

2 September 2026

Good afternoon

Please find attached the EVC’s Vehicle Sales Report for August 2026. A highlights summary and commentary from EVC CEO, Julie Delvecchio follows.

Sales performance

• Tesla and Polestar recorded combined battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales* of 7,821 vehicles in August 2026 - up 148% from 3,156 in August 2025.
• This was the second-highest monthly result on record for the two manufacturers, behind only the 8,924 vehicles sold in June 2026.
• Tesla delivered 7,685 vehicles during August, an increase of 163% year-on-year.
• Combined year-to-date sales reached 37,532 vehicles - 91% higher than during the same period in 2025 - with Tesla surpassing 36,000 annual sales for the first time.

* Please note that electric vehicle sales are recorded at the point of delivery, rather than when orders are made.

Standout performers

• The Tesla Model Y led BEV sales with 6,414 vehicles delivered - up 176% compared with August 2025.
• The Tesla Model 3 recorded 1,271 sales, its strongest monthly result since January 2026.

National picture

• Year-to-date (1 January – August 31) sales of Tesla and Polestar vehicles in NSW, Queensland and South Australia more than doubled activity for the same period in 2025. Solid increases from 45%-93% were recorded across all other jurisdictions.
• South Australia recorded a nation-leading 12x increase in combined Tesla and Polestar sales in August 2026 (347) v August 2025 (28).
• The continued surge in monthly and annual EV sales aligns with new data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).  
  •  According to the ABS, the Australian economy grew by 0.4 per cent in the June quarter, up by 0.1 per cent from the previous quarter, driven by a surge in demand for electric vehicles.
  • ABS head of national accounts, Grace Kim said, "The rise in electric vehicle purchases may have reflected households taking a longer-term approach to cost of living pressures, with some choosing EVs to help reduce ongoing expenses."

EVC quotes:

Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said the new EV sales data, alongside today's ABS commentary, suggests Australians are making a structural shift away from petrol towards electric vehicles.

“The sustained growth in monthly and annual EV sales points to a structural shift in Australia’s car market.

"Environmental and economic considerations are coming together, changing what Australians buy and how they spend."

“EVs are not only close to or at price parity with petrol cars, but Australians are also increasingly looking beyond the purchase price to what a vehicle will cost them over the years they own it. They are choosing electric vehicles to cut both their household bills and emissions."

"Australians now have real choice in the market, and they're choosing electric because EVs are cleaner and cheaper to run."

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 For reference: 

• This is the Electric Vehicle Council’s monthly report of vehicles delivered in Australia – it is a condition of use that the data be attributed to the Electric Vehicle Council.
• This monthly report only includes sales from some brands only - it does not capture the entire new vehicle sales market in Australia.
• All vehicle brands are welcome to provide their data for this free, public report on a non-exclusive basis. The EVC’s aim is for data to be publicly available for all Australian new vehicle sales to enhance transparency and consumer confidence. 

 

About us:

The Electric Vehicle Council is the peak national body representing the electric vehicle industry in Australia. Representing members from across the value chain of the electric vehicle sector, the EVC is a trusted advisor and advocate to governments and decision makers across Australia. Our mission is to drive investment and awareness to accelerate the electrification of transport, for a more sustainable and prosperous Australia.

Contact details:

Todd Hayward - 0412 205 151