The Tesla Model 3 electric sedan was the third highest selling new vehicle in January in Australia – the highest ever position for an EV – and trailed only the popular Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux utes.
The latest data from the Federated Chamber of Automotive Industries shows that the Model 3 had 2,927 sales in January, as EVs accounted for nearly 20 per cent of all new passenger vehicle sales.
The only models that beat the Model 3 were the perennial favourites, the Ford Ranger ute with 4,749, and the Toyota Hi-Lux ute, with 4,131.
Overall, EVs accounted for 4,852 sales, or 5.7 per cent of the new vehicle market in January, after grabbing a 5.8 per cent share in December. Tesla accounted for two thirds of these sales in January (3,313), with the Model 3 (2,927) and the Model Y SUV selling 386.
It is unusual for Tesla to be so dominant in the early months of a quarter, but the big boost in Model 3 sales is likely explained by shipping delays that caused so many deliveries to be pushed from late 2022 into early 2023.
Other notable EV players worth noting included the more affordable BYD Atto 3, which made-up 5.5% of the total EV sales in January. BYD sold a total of 267 Atto 3 electric SUVs in January.
This is expected to increase in 2023 as more variety of affordable EV models from BYD start to enter the Australian market.
Polestar 2 also made up 164 of the pure battery EV sales in January which was down from its best-ever month for sales in December 2022.
The Volvo C40 Recharge had a positive month after launching into the Australian market last year. 127 of the electric SUV coupe were sold during the month.
Continuing with the luxury SUV market, BMW had a great month with the iX, selling 95 units while Mercedes-Benz collectively sold 53 EVs in Australia.
The Kia EV6 had 44 sales and the Hyundai Ioniq 5 just 30, according to the FCAI data. (The bid drop of Ioniq 5 sales in January are likely to be delivered in coming months). The Nissan Leaf recorded 39 sales.
It’s worth noting that The Driven is still awaiting EV sales data for the Hyundai Kona EV and MG ZS EV. The FCAI data does not seperate these models from their fossil fuel equivalents. We will update this article once we receive them.
All in all, 2023 has started off with a strong interest in EVs as prices of popular models like the Tesla Model 3 and Y have also been cut.
This will only boost sales in the coming months and that’s before many more affordable models from BYD, MG & ORA hit our shores. With 4,852 EVs selling in January, it brings the total fleet of EVs to over 70,000 across Australia.
As we surpass the 5% EV registrations in the month of January 2023 is looking to be the best year for local EV uptake.
Keyword: Tesla Model 3 now third highest selling car, behind only Ranger and Hilux utes