Australia's electric vehicle sales are regaining momentum thanks to the success of the Model Y, along with contributions from Geely, BYD, and Kia.
The second quarter of 2025 witnessed a significant surge in electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia, marking the fastest-growing EV market quarter to date. The Tesla Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7 emerged as the top-selling models during this period.
In May alone, a total of 10,065 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold, contributing to the record-breaking quarter. Tesla led with 8,986 EV registrations, of which 7,317 were the Tesla Model Y, making it the best-selling EV in Australia.
The Tesla Model Y retained its title as Australia's most popular EV, thanks to a recent facelift and appealing model editions introduced in May. BYD followed closely, with 6,708 EV sales in Q2 2025, and the BYD Sealion 7 as its most popular model, which had 3,026 registrations.
The BYD Sealion 7 presented a strong challenge to the Tesla Model Y, with competitive pricing ($54,990 vs. $58,900 for the Model Y). In April, the BYD Sealion 7 even outsold the Tesla Model Y, with 743 units versus 280 units, indicating strong buyer interest that likely continued into May.
Overall, the EV market share in Q2 2025 was 13.1% of all new car sales, up from 9.59% in Q2 2024, primarily due to the BEV segment.
The Kia EV5 and Geely EX5 took the second and third spots for the best-selling EVs in May 2025, with 703 and 511 sales respectively. The top-selling EVs in May, in order, were the Tesla Model Y, Kia EV5, Geely EX5, BYD Sealion 7, BYD Seal, BYD Dolphin, BYD Atto 3, MG MG4, Tesla Model 3, and Kia EV3.
The Polestar 4 and MGS5 had 133 and 106 sales respectively. The increased competition, the rollout of new models, price decreases from multiple end-of-financial-year offerings, and the impact of new vehicle emissions standards are expected to contribute to continued growth in EV sales over the year.
A total of 4,140 EVs were supplied by the Electric Vehicle Council in May 2025, while the FCAI reported a total of 5,925 EVs supplied in the same month. Australian EV sales rose sharply in May 2025, with an increase from the April share of 6.6%. Notably, the Tesla Model Y saw a resurgence in May 2025, while the BYD Sealion 7, which was in fourth place last month, dropped to fourth place in May with 488 sales.
This data captures both volume and model-specific trends driving EV adoption in Australia during this period, with Tesla maintaining the highest volume overall, but BYD showing substantial growth and competitive pricing, significantly impacting market dynamics.
[1] Source: FCAI (Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries) [2] Source: Electric Vehicle Council [3] Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)
Technology and lifestyle preferences continue to intersect as electric vehicles (EVs), such as the Tesla Model Y and the BYD Sealion 7, gain popularity in Australians' car choices. The Tesla Model Y, with 7,317 registrations in the second quarter of 2025, stands out as the best-selling EV in Australia, while the BYD Sealion 7 presents a strong challenge with competitive pricing. Gadget enthusiasts might find the new model editions of these cars, along with other top-selling EVs like the Kia EV5 and Geely EX5, intriguing additions to their tech-savvy lifestyle.
