Australians bought almost 158,000 battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the first half of 2026, with an EV purchased every 100 seconds as greater vehicle choice, affordability and an expanding charging network drive record uptake.
The Electric Vehicle Council’s (EVC) 10th edition of the State of EVs 2026 report found 157,957 EVs were sold between January and June, representing a 117 per cent increase on the same period in 2025.
The report was launched by Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen and found EVs accounted for 25.8 per cent of all new vehicle sales in the first half of the year, up from 12.1 per cent a year earlier.
EV sales more than double
Of the 157,957 EVs sold during the first six months of 2026, 103,716 were battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 54,241 were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
The EVC said the growth had been driven by stronger competition and greater vehicle availability, supported by the National Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES), the expanding charging network and the Electric Car Discount.
The national EV fleet also reached a major milestone, passing 500,000 vehicles in March before reaching about 612,000 by the end of June.
EVC CEO Julie Delvecchio said the figures showed EVs had moved into the Australian mainstream.
“The pace of EV sales growth reflects a powerful combination of greater vehicle availability, improved affordability and a growing awareness that EVs provide one of the best ways to cut the cost of living right now,” Delvecchio said.
“Most EV drivers cut their annual fuel bills by more than 60 per cent according to the EV Ownership Survey from March this year. Against the backdrop of extreme fuel volatility this year, more and more Australians are voting with their wallets by switching to an EV.”
More choice and charging infrastructure
Australian motorists also have more EV models to choose from, with 196 EV models available in 2026, comprising 125 BEVs and 71 PHEVs.
That compares with 153 models available in 2025.
The public charging network has also expanded significantly, reaching 4,268 public charging locations with 11,602 connectors by June 2026.
According to the EVC, this represents a 235 per cent increase in charging locations and a 175 per cent increase in connectors compared with June 2025.
EVC calls for NVES extension beyond 2029
The EVC has called for the Federal Government to extend the NVES beyond 2029, arguing the standard has played a key role in increasing vehicle choice and affordability.
The Minister is required to commence a review of the operation of the NVES Act before 31 December 2026.
Delvecchio said the review should recognise the impact of the standard on vehicle running costs and continue the policy beyond 2029.
“The last six months have shown us the crucial importance of a vehicle efficiency standard that has given Australians the option of getting into cheaper-to-run cars. Now we must extend it beyond 2029 so that Australians don’t have to pay hundreds of dollars a week for petrol and diesel.”
The EVC is calling for the NVES to be extended beyond 2029 and aligned with the Government’s 2035 emissions reduction target.
Electric trucks remain a challenge
While EV uptake has accelerated in the passenger vehicle market, the transition remains much slower for freight.
Electric trucks accounted for about 0.6 per cent of new truck sales, while electric vans accounted for about 1 per cent of van sales in H1 2026, according to the report.
The EVC said the lack of financial support for small freight operators was a significant barrier to moving from diesel to electric trucks.
It pointed to the UK, where support of up to approximately $250,000 per electric truck is available, as well as support provided in countries including New Zealand, India and France.
The council is calling for financial incentives and regulatory reforms to accelerate electric truck and van uptake.
Mixed progress across jurisdictions
The EVC’s annual policy scorecard found the Federal, ACT and NSW governments were the leading jurisdictions in 2026, each receiving an overall score of 7/10.
The EVC said these jurisdictions had combined policy ambition with programmes covering passenger and freight vehicles, buses and charging infrastructure.
Western Australia scored 3/10, while Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory each scored 2/10. Victoria scored 5/10.
EVC outlines priorities for the year ahead
The EVC has identified several priorities to maintain momentum in Australia’s EV transition, including:
- implementing an updated post-2029 NVES;
- targeted policies to help economically disadvantaged Australians access EV cost savings;
- financial incentives and regulatory reforms for electric trucks and vans;
- a National EV Charging Roadmap and expanded charging infrastructure;
- consistent national settings for vehicle-to-grid technology and right-to-charge rules; and
- a federal road-user charge that does not deter EV adoption, with revenue reinvested into the EV ecosystem.
The report’s findings point to a rapidly changing Australian vehicle market, with EVs now accounting for more than one in four new vehicle sales and the national fleet surpassing 600,000 vehicles.
However, the EVC said continued policy support, charging investment, and greater assistance for freight operators are needed to sustain the transition across all vehicle segments.
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