May 2026 saw the Tesla Model Y regain the top spot in BEV sales in Australia, after losing it to BYD’s Sealion in April. In fact, the Model Y was Australia’s best-selling vehicle of all powertrains — the first EV to take the gold. In May 2026, 107,000 passenger vehicles were sold into the Australian market. Out of this number, 21,303 were full battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 9,315 were plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). This represents a year-on-year increase of 111% for BEVs and 202% for PHEVs. Approximately 30% of new cars sold in May in the Australian market came with a plug. Jaecoo J5. Photo courtesy Kerry Jeston. So, what are people not buying? The answer is diesel utes! Shock! Horror! Discounts abound, stock is available, but ute sales are down significantly. And the headlines are no longer touting BYD as a Tesla killer, but as a Toyota killer! BYD is just behind Toyota as Australia’s second best-selling brand. But Toyota sales are down 30% YOY. You can read more about the decline in diesel ute sales here. The media is awash with stories about the BYD RORO car-carrying ship docking in Melbourne with 5,000 new energy vehicles. See the photo here. As one keen observer pointed out, all these cars have already been sold. They should show up in June’s figures. Hold on to the handrails, the ride is speeding up. On Chanel 10 News, the BYD ship is described as “frightening” and a “monster.” The news presenters are desperately looking for negatives, constantly focussing on the size of the RORO. But, it isn’t much larger than a cruise ship. They throw to Paul Maric from Car Expert and are bitterly disappointed when he doesn’t share their negativity. You can amuse yourself by watching the video here. The video continues with one presenter casting doubt on the ability of Australia’s charging infrastructure to support an extra 5,000 cars and sees the BYD delivery as China “capitalising” on Australia’s supposed fuel crisis. Paul throws them a little tidbit for their negative seeking by saying it might not be the right time to buy an EV if you live in the Australian countryside. In a “tin foil hat” moment, one presenter suggests that Chinese cars are tracking the Australian consumer. Paul’s response is gold: “If you’re worried about being tracked, I recommend putting your phone down and not driving any new car!” He does caution against buying unknown Chinese brands, casting doubt on their longevity. “You may end up with a paperweight.” Sealed hybrids continue to expand in the market, but at a much slower rate. BEVs + PHEVs outsold conventional hybrids, which recorded 19,024 (HEV) deliveries and an increase of 11% year on year. Toyota saw double-digit falls across most of its range. Standing out from the carnage, Toyota’s bZ4X electric SUV increased 181%, from a low base, to sell 203 vehicles. I have kept you waiting long enough — let’s check out the top fifteen electric vehicles for Australia in May 2026 (drum roll…): Tesla Model Y — 5,605 — year to date 12,324 Omoda Jaecoo J5 — 2,126 — year to date 4,017 Geely EX5 — 1,814 — 4,453 BYD Sealion 7 — 1,538 — 7,786 Zeekr 7X — 966 — 3664 Tesla Model 3 — 828 — 2,594 BYD Atto 2 — 778 — 2,919 BYD Atto 1 — 768 — 2,383 BYD Atto 3 — 627 — 2,375 BYD Seal — 581 — 1,885 MG4 — 580 — 2,118 Kia EV3 — 531 — 1,837 Kia EV5 — 437 — 2,379 BYD Dolphin — 320 — 1,670 MG S5 — 254 — 1,427 Of note is the lack of European models in the list — the highest selling car from an EU brand was the Volkswagen ID.4 with 237 sales. Only the Kias were not made in China. There are no Japanese brands in the top 15. The Toyota bZ4X came in at #16 for the month. Chery’s Jaecoo J5 continues to surprise, with the value-packed car rocketing up to #2 on the chart. While petrol and diesel utes crash, there is hope for a pure BEV ute. The KGM Musso EV ute sold 63 units in May, with 201 sold year to date. Majella and I were very impressed with our time with this vehicle. Toyota continues to promise a low-range, high-price BEV HiLux, but we haven’t seen it yet. KGM Musso. Photo courtesy Majella Waterworth Geely is releasing its EX2 (called the Geome Xingyuan in China) into the Australian market. It appears that the company only has one car presently touring the country. We hope to check it out tomorrow. Orders are being taken now, with deliveries likely to commence in September. The EX2 is a rear-wheel city car, with a range of 410 km. Stay tuned. The EX2 is the highest selling car in China and should do well on the Australian market competing with the BYD Atto 1 (aka Seagull, Dolphin Mini) and obliterating the petrol equivalents — depending on the price. A Facebook page has already been started for the EX2 and it is generating lots of interest, primarily around the price. Prospective buyers are already cross shopping the specs with the GAC Aion V. Most expect it to sell for around AU$30,000, much more than the BYD Seagull. We’ll see. The debate in the media rages — is this just a reaction to higher fuel prices and the instability of supply caused by Trump’s adventures in Iran? The longer the demand surge for EVs goes on, the more likely that we are passing a tipping point, and history is being made. “The evidence increasingly demonstrates that New Vehicle Emissions Standards is encouraging manufacturers to bring more low emissions vehicles to Australia, increasing both consumer choice and technology availability,” said FCAI chief executive Tony Weber in a press release. “Regulatory stability and growth in public charging infrastructure is now critical to maintaining investment, consumer confidence and continued growth, particularly during a period of global economic uncertainty.” No matter what, Australia’s driving future is bright, electric, and very well supplied!
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