Electric and Hybrids Hit 51.6% of Sales

Electric and hybrid vehicles took 51.6 per cent of new light vehicle sales in Australia in the September quarter of 2026.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Electric Vehicles

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of a single electric car and a hybrid at a charging bay on an open plain, deep red and cream palette with a teal accent. — Battery electric and hybrid vehicles took 51.6 per cent of new light vehicle sales in Australia in the September quarter, with BEV sales reaching 76,947. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Electric and hybrid vehicles made up 51.6 per cent of new light vehicle sales in Australia in the three months to 30 September 2026. Battery electric vehicle sales reached 76,947 in the September quarter, the highest level recorded in the period covered.

Why it matters

The shift shows buyers moving away from petrol-only vehicles, with internal combustion engine vehicles falling to 48.41 per cent of sales. Fuel prices remain high, and a wider range of electric models across key segments has improved choice for buyers across Australia.

Battery electric vehicle sales rose from 34,435 in the March quarter to 69,414 in June and 76,947 in September, while plug-in hybrids made up 9.79 per cent and conventional hybrids 17.46 per cent of Q3 sales. BEVs were the only fuel type to gain share in the quarter, and their share of medium SUV sales reached 41.06 per cent.

The players

Australian Automobile Association

The Australian Automobile Association is a national motoring advocacy body that publishes the EV Index tracking electric vehicle sales across Australia.

The details

Battery electric and hybrid vehicles recorded their highest share of the market in the September quarter, according to the latest EV Index from the Australian Automobile Association. BEV and hybrid sales also overtook internal combustion engine sales among medium SUVs in the June quarter.

March quarter 2026: BEV sales reached 34,435 and internal combustion engine share stood at 64.23 per cent.
June quarter 2026: BEV sales reached 69,414 and BEVs and hybrids overtook petrol sales among medium SUVs.
September quarter 2026: BEV sales reached 76,947 and electric and hybrid share hit 51.6 per cent.

Roadmap

The Australian Automobile Association's EV Index has tracked the rise of battery electric vehicles quarter by quarter, and the September 2026 figures extend that trend. BEV market share has roughly doubled from 12.25 per cent in the first quarter to 24.34 per cent in the third, while internal combustion engine share has steadily declined.

With fuel prices still high, buyers choosing a battery electric or hybrid vehicle may face lower running costs than a petrol equivalent. The wider range of electric models across key segments gives drivers more options when replacing a car.

The takeaway

Buyers now have more electric and hybrid choices than before, and the figures show the market has crossed the halfway point for these vehicle types. Comparing running costs against a petrol model is worth doing before purchase.