Daily Chart Highlight: Leading Electric Vehicle Brands in Australia
In the rapidly evolving electric vehicle (EV) landscape of Australia, Tesla's reign as the undisputed leader appears to be waning. According to recent sales data, brands like BYD, Kia, BMW, and MG are making significant inroads into the market, challenging Tesla's dominance and offering consumers more choices.
Tesla, once the biggest seller of EVs in Australia, has seen its market share decline significantly. In some months, Tesla's share of Australian EV sales has dropped as low as 10%, a stark contrast to the two-thirds of the market it held in early 2023. This decline is evident in Tesla's sales figures, which have not reached the highs of 2023 and 2024. For instance, the demand for the Model 3, Tesla's flagship vehicle, fell by 65% in the first half of 2025 compared to the previous year.
While Tesla struggles, other brands are thriving. BYD, a Chinese automaker, has emerged as the biggest mover in the Australian EV market. Its success is largely due to the SeaLion 7 model, which has been a hit with Australian consumers. In June 2025, BYD's Australian sales increased 368% year-on-year, and global shipments rose 11% in the same period.
The diversification in the EV market is a positive development for consumers, as it provides a broader variety of affordable and appealing electric models. This shift away from Tesla's dominance is also reflected in the overall EV sales figures. Approximately 7.6% of new cars sold in Australia in the first half of 2025 were EVs, slightly down from 8.0% in the same period in 2024.
Notably, the Model Y, refreshed in early May, is the best-selling EV in Australia. Data collected by Tim Eden shows the progress of the top five EV brands in the Australian market: Tesla, BYD, Kia, BMW, and MG. Tesla's market share in Australia has halved, now at one third.
The decline in Tesla's market share can be attributed to a combination of factors, including increased competition, CEO Elon Musk's controversies, and perhaps, a cautious shift away from fully electric vehicles by some consumers. This shift is evident in the growth of hybrid vehicle sales, which grew nearly 15% in H1 2025.
Despite Tesla's struggles, Giles Parkinson, a journalist with nearly 40 years of experience, continues to own a Tesla Model 3. Parkinson, the founder and editor of The Driven website, also edits and founded Renew Economy and One Step Off The Grid web sites.
For more information about the EV models available in Australia and their sales data, you can visit the Australian electric vehicle sales by month and by model in 2025 and the EV Models page. The electric vehicle market in Australia is evolving rapidly, and it's an exciting time for consumers as they have more choices than ever before.
[1] Eden, T. (2025). Electric Vehicle Sales in Australia: June 2025 Update. The Driven. Retrieved from https://thedriven.io/2025/07/22/electric-vehicle-sales-in-australia-june-2025-update/
[2] Eden, T. (2025). Electric Vehicle Sales in Australia: H1 2025 Update. The Driven. Retrieved from https://thedriven.io/2025/07/22/electric-vehicle-sales-in-australia-h1-2025-update/
[3] Eden, T. (2025). Tesla's Australian EV Sales Plummet in July 2025. The Driven. Retrieved from https://thedriven.io/2025/08/05/teslas-australian-ev-sales-plummet-in-july-2025/
[4] Eden, T. (2025). Tesla's Australian EV Dominance Fades as Competition Heats Up. The Driven. Retrieved from https://thedriven.io/2025/07/22/teslas-australian-ev-dominance-fades-as-competition-heats-up/
- Tesla's decline in market dominance in Australia has opened up the electric vehicle landscape, allowing gadget enthusiasts to explore a variety of new technology-driven cars, such as the popular BYD SeaLion 7 and Kia Niro EV, alongside luxury brands like BMW's i3 and MG's ZS EV.
- As the lifestyle shift toward sustainable options continues, consumers are discovering an increased number of electric-vehicle options, from Tesla's Model Y and Model 3 to a range of affordable and appealing alternatives like the BYD SeaLion 7 and MG ZS EV, signifying a growing diversity in the Australian electric-vehicle market.
