Australia’s EV market took a sharp turn in April. Tesla sales collapsed, BYD charged into the lead, and plug-in hybrids dropped off a cliff following the end of FBT exemption. It’s been one of the most dramatic months in recent memory for electrified vehicle sales.
▶️MORE: April EV Sales Disappoint As Tesla Drops Behind BYD AGAIN
Tesla hits a speed bump as Model Y slips
Tesla’s reign as Australia’s top EV seller has ended for now.
Model Y, once the the best selling EV in the country, has plummeted to 8th place with just 280 sales in April. The staggering 76% year-on-year decline is largely due to it being in runout mode ahead of a refreshed version landing this month.
Model 3, despite being a refreshed model, didn’t fare much better, falling to 10th with 220 deliveries.
Combined, Tesla sold just 500 vehicles in April, a stark contrast to its usual dominance.
▶️MORE: 2025 Tesla Model Y price and specs
BYD takes the crown with Sealion 7
While Tesla stumbled, BYD surged ahead.
The all-new BYD Sealion 7 claimed the title of best-selling EV in Australia, clocking in 743 deliveries in April. BYD also had two more models in the top 10 including the Atto 3 and the Seal.
Here’s how the electric leaderboard looked in April:
| Rank | Model | Units Sold |
| 1 | BYD Sealion 7 | 743 |
| 2 | MG4 | 363 |
| 3 | BYD Atto 3 | 355 |
| 4 | Kia EV5 | 342 |
| 5 | Kia EV3 | 336 |
| 6 | BYD Seal | 325 |
| 7 | Geely EX5 | 324 |
| 8 | Tesla Model Y | 280 |
| 9 | MG ZS EV | 227 |
| 10 | Tesla Model 3 | 220 |
Only 39 units separated second place from seventh, showing just how tight the race is below the leader.
▶️MORE: 2025 BYD Sealion 7 Price and Specs Revealed
Plug-in hybrid sales nosedive after FBT rule change
Plug-in hybrid sales fell from 6932 units in March to just 2601 in April a decline of over 62%. The main driver being the removal of Fringe Benefit Tax (FBT) exemptions for PHEVs.
Despite that, BYD still led the segment with its Shark 6 ute, though even it saw a steep decline.
▶️MORE: 2025 Tesla Model Y price and specs
Top 10 PHEVs – April 2025
| Rank | Model | Units Sold |
| 1 | BYD Shark 6 | 1293 |
| 2 | BYD Sealion 6 | 275 |
| 3 | GWM Haval H6 | 179 |
| 4 | Mitsubishi Outlander | 114 |
| 5 | BMW X3 | 92 |
| 6 | Mitsubishi Eclipse | 51 |
| 7 | Mazda CX-60 | 49 |
| 8 | Lexus RX | 46 |
| 9 | BMW X5 | 44 |
| 10 | Ford Ranger PHEV | 42 |
Hybrid sales stall as market settles
Even conventional hybrids didn’t escape the slump. Sales dipped 6% year-on-year, from 15,194 in April 2024 to 14,288 this April.
Toyota still owns the hybrid game, but Hyundai is starting to muscle in.
▶️MORE: What BYD electric cars are coming to Australia?
Top 10 Hybrids – April 2025
| Rank | Model | Units Sold |
| 1 | Toyota RAV4 | 3801 |
| 2 | Toyota Corolla | 1630 |
| 3 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 1202 |
| 4 | Toyota Camry | 841 |
| 5 | Hyundai Tucson | 699 |
| 6 | Hyundai Kona | 615 |
| 7 | Toyota Yaris Cross | 574 |
| 8 | Hyundai Santa Fe | 363 |
| 9 | Lexus NX | 347 |
| 10 | Kia Sportage | 340 |
Toyota holds five spots in the top 10, but Hyundai’s Tucson, Kona, and Santa Fe are carving out real traction.
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