Electric Vehicle Council infographic: State of EVs 2026 – 157,957 EVs sold Jan–Jun 2026, 1 in 4 new cars an EV, 612,000 EVs on Australian roads, 196 models, 4,268 public charging locations, $3,000 typical annual savings.

The Electric Vehicle Council has released State of EVs 2026, its tenth annual check-up on Australia’s electric vehicle industry. After a decade of reports, this year’s numbers are the best yet: an EV is now bought in Australia every 100 seconds.

The headline numbers

  • 157,957 EVs sold between January and June 2026, up 117% on the same period last year and more than in all of 2025.
  • 1 in 4 new cars is an EV. By June, EVs made up 25.8% of new light-vehicle sales, more than double the 12.1% share a year earlier.
  • 612,000 EVs are now on Australian roads.
  • 196 models are available (125 battery electric and 71 plug-in hybrid), up 28% from 153 a year ago.
  • 4,268 public charging locations with 11,602 public connectors now operate nationwide.
  • About $3,000 a year is the typical saving in running costs for an EV driver.

The pace of EV sales growth reflects a powerful combination of greater vehicle availability, improved affordability and a growing awareness that EVs provide one of the best ways to cut the cost of living right now.

Julie Delvecchio, CEO, Electric Vehicle Council

Where the gaps remain

Chart of Australian monthly new vehicle sales by drivetrain from 2020 to January 2026, showing electric vehicles rising from about 1% to over 15% of sales.
Australian monthly new vehicle sales by drivetrain, 2020 to January 2026. EVs rose from about 1% to over 15% of sales, and by August 2026 had passed 30%. Chart: Prof Ray Wills.

Not every part of the transport sector is moving at the same pace. Electric truck and van sales are still under 1% of their markets, and there is no federal financial support to help freight operators move off diesel.

The report’s policy scorecard is also mixed. The Federal, ACT and NSW governments kept strong scores, but Western Australia, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory all went backwards.

Why it matters

Cars were the first domino. Wider choice, lower prices and cheaper running costs have taken EVs from a niche purchase to one in four new cars in only a few years. The next test is freight and the states that have fallen behind. When trucks, vans and supportive policy follow, the shift away from imported fuel will accelerate across the whole economy.

Read the full report and factsheets at the Electric Vehicle Council: State of EVs 2026.

Infographic and figures: Electric Vehicle Council, State of EVs 2026.

References

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