EVs outsell petrol for a third month running: October's sales by fuel type
Why it matters: The car industry body FCAI puts strong EV demand down to competition, higher fuel prices, instability in the Middle East and federal tax concessions. More EVs sold now means more used EVs to choose from in a few years and more pressure on prices. If you're weighing petrol against electric, compare the running costs at today's fuel prices.
Australians bought 24,845 new electric cars in October, 23.1% of the 107,493 new vehicles sold and up from 7.3% a year ago, according to VFACTS and EV Council figures. Petrol car sales fell 35.9% on a year earlier to 23,605, so EVs beat petrol again, but diesel (25,649) was still the biggest fuel type. Plug-in hybrids rose to 11,745. Tesla's Model Y was the top EV with 3,105 sales, ahead of BYD's Sealion 7 (2,524) and Geely's EX5 (1,789), while Toyota's HiLux was the best-selling vehicle overall.
- Diesel25,649
- Electric24,845
- Petrol23,605
- Hybrid18,434
- Plug-in hybrid11,745
Data: VFACTS and EV Council, via the NRMA and Zecar. 107,493 new vehicles were sold in October in total.
More EV news
- IM5: the $68,000 sedan with 655 km of range and 396 kW charging 15 November 2026
- V2G-Key: an Australian idea to power your home from your EV without a $6,000 charger 15 November 2026
- Home EV chargers now start at about $770: Autel, Tesla, Evnex and Zappi prices compared 14 November 2026
- Buying an EV charger at Bunnings? What to check before you do 14 November 2026
- Next Honda CR-V goes hybrid-only, with a new platform arriving in 2027 13 November 2026
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How we work it out, and our sources
Weekly cost = the car's energy use × 250 km × your electricity or fuel price, with 90% of charging at home. Prices are list prices at November 2026; check with the dealer.
- Electricity: 2026–27 default rates (AER, Victorian Default Offer, state retailers). Public charging: Sydney network prices, July 2026.
- Petrol and diesel: capital-city daily averages from state government price feeds, via FuelRadar, 12 November 2026. Diesel for Hobart, Canberra and Darwin is estimated from the national fall.
- Cars: maker figures via CarExpert, Drive, CarsGuide and EV Central. Plug-in electric range is taken as 80% of the claim.
- Servicing: published capped prices; marked as an estimate where not yet published (CarExpert comparison).
- Tyres: an EV set lasts about 35,000 km, a petrol or hybrid set 50,000 km (RACV); prices from Gridly.
- Home charger: about $2,000 installed ($1,000–$3,000). Novated leases: PwC summary.
Printed from EV Pick Australia · evpick.com.au. Prices and costs are estimates; check with the dealer. © 2026 EV Pick (T. Crouch). For personal use only; not to be copied, republished or sold without permission.
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