Australian electric vehicle sales more than double since outbreak of war in Iran
Australian electric vehicle sales surged to record levels in the second quarter of 2026, with EVs and hybrids accounting for nearly half of all new vehicle purchases. The growth has sparked a political debate regarding the necessity of government subsidies for the industry.
Why it matters
The shift in consumer behavior highlights the impact of fuel prices and government policy on the transition to sustainable transportation.
EV sales almost doubled across April, May and June. ( ABC News: Matt Roberts )
Australia has recorded its biggest-ever quarterly surge in electric vehicle sales.
Across April, May and June, nearly one in every two vehicles sold was either electric or hybrid.
Liberal deputy Jane Hume says the figures show EV subsidies introduced by the government in 2023 had grown "out of control".
Link copied Share Share article Australia has recorded its biggest-ever quarterly surge in electric vehicle sales, with updated figures showing new EV purchases doubled in the three months to June 30.
At 49 per cent, nearly one in every two new vehicles sold was either electric or hybrid, with the spike coinciding with soaring fuel prices at the start of April following the war in Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz at the end of February.
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