Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) became Australia’s largest individual fuel category for the first time in August, and the Tesla Model Y finished as the country’s best-selling vehicle overall.
According to Drive, combining VFACTS data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries with Tesla and Polestar volumes reported through the Electric Vehicle Council puts August at 108,760 new vehicles. BEVs accounted for 27,078 of those, or 24.9%, ahead of gas at 25,824 and diesel at 23,608. Hybrids added 18,662 and plug-in hybrids 10,591.
August is the first month BEVs were the single largest fuel type, but not more than every combustion powertrain combined. Hybrids are counted separately, and gas plus diesel together still beat BEVs alone.
Electrified vehicles (BEV, hybrid, and PHEV) hit 51.8% of the market, the first majority month. BEV volumes were up about 170% versus August 2025.
The Model Y delivered 6,414 units, ahead of the Toyota RAV4 at 5,470 and the HiLux at 4,833. Carsales says roughly 3,236 of those Ys were the six-seat Model Y L. It is the Model Ys third monthly win in 2026, following May and June.
Tesla as a brand landed 7,685 deliveries, good for third overall and up 162.6% year over year. Toyota still led with 19,712, and BYD sat second with 8,231. The Model 3 added another 1,271.
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