Key Points
- BEV sales reached 11,134 in February 2026, taking an 12.2% share of the total new car market.
- Tesla Model Y led all EVs with 2,971 sales, followed by BYD Sealion 7 with 1,327 and Zeekr 7X with 628.
- PHEV sales rose 20.2% year-on-year to 5,854 units in February 2026.
Electric vehicle sales bounced back strongly in February 2026. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) took an 12.2% share of the total new car market, up from 8.4% in January. A total of 11,134 BEVs were sold during the month.
The overall new car market (ex Heavy Commercial) came in at 91,131 vehicles for February, down 2.7% on the same month last yea. Despite the broader market decline, EV and PHEV sales both grew strongly year-on-year.
BEV Sales in Australia
Top-Selling EVs in February 2026
Year-to-date BEV sales for 2026 stand at 14,966, compared to 9,516 over the same two months in 2025. That is a ~50% increase over last year.
The Tesla Model Y reclaimed the top spot after a slow January. BYD placed three models in the top five.
The Zeekr 7X took third place overall with 628 sales in just its second month on Australian roads. That puts it ahead of established models like the Tesla Model 3 and MG MG4 for the month.
The BYD Atto 1, Australia's most affordable EV, recorded 349 sales in February, its highest monthly total to date.
Top 15 BEV Models
Latest Month (February 2026)
PHEV Sales Also Rise
Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales reached 5,854 in February 2026, up 20.2% year-on-year from 4,871 in February 2025. PHEVs continue to grow as more models arrive and buyers look for flexibility between electric and petrol driving for longer trips.
PHEV Sales Comparison
Month | PHEV Sales |
February 2025 | 4,871 |
February 2026 | 5,854 |
Year-on-year change | +20.2% |
China Overtakes Japan as Top Source of New Cars
February 2026 marked the first time China overtook Japan as the largest source of new vehicles sold in Australia. Chinese-built vehicles were up 50.5% year-on-year, while Japanese-built vehicles fell 31.3%.
Top 15 BEV Makes
Latest Month (February 2026)This includes vehicles from non-Chinese brands built in China, such as Tesla and Kia . FCAI CEO Tony Weber noted: "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 one of the most open and competitive in the world."
Chinese manufactured cars have by far the largest representation in EV models, both BEV and PHEV.
Country of Origin: Year-on-Year Change
Country of Origin | Year-on-Year Change |
China | +50.5% |
Japan | -31.3% |
Korea | -2.9% |
About the author
Danny Thai
Danny is a consultant and entrepreneur working at the cutting edge of the electric vehicle and energy transition. He is passionate about educating and helping consumers make better decisions through data.
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