Electric Cars Gain Ground in Australia

November 2026 An electric car is now being sold every 100 seconds in Australia, as electric vehicles continue to gain market share and become firmly established in the mainstream automotive market. According to the annual State of Electric Vehicles Report published by the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), one in every four new cars sold in the country is now electric. Electric vehicle sales more than doubled in the space of a year, while last month, for the first time, sales exceeded those of petrol and diesel-powered cars. The development marks a significant shift in Australia's automotive market, just a decade after electric vehicles emerged as a broader consumer option. The Electric Vehicle Council points out that electric cars are no longer the preserve of wealthy residents in inner-city suburbs. Their prices are increasingly approaching those of conventional vehicles, with some models now available for less than $20,000. Suburban residents, who rely on their cars for daily commuting, have played a significant role in this year's sales growth. Areas such as Tarneit, about 30 kilometres west of Melbourne, are recording particularly high rates of electric vehicle adoption. Meanwhile, Australian consumers now have access to almost 200 different electric vehicle models. Rising fuel prices have also contributed to growing demand. Disruptions to international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have intensified pressure on petrol and diesel prices, making electric vehicles an even more attractive option. More than 600,000 electric cars are now on Australian roads. Despite this rapid growth, however, electric vehicles account for only around 3 per cent of the country's total fleet of 21 million cars. The EVC warns that the current growth rate is insufficient to meet Australia's climate targets. In particular, achieving the 2035 target will require approximately five million battery-electric cars to be on the country's roads. One of the biggest obstacles remains the lack of adequate charging infrastructure. Although the network is expanding, its development is not yet keeping pace with the growth in electric vehicle ownership. The EVC is therefore calling for a coordinated national charging infrastructure plan to strengthen driver confidence and make travel across the country easier. The freight transport sector also remains a major challenge. Australia consumes more diesel per capita than the United States, China and Saudi Arabia, while electric trucks account for less than 1 per cent of total truck sales. The high purchase cost of electric trucks, limited financial assistance and a shortage of specialised charging infrastructure are making the transition particularly difficult for small transport businesses. The EVC report concludes by describing the electrification of heavy vehicles as one of Australia's greatest untapped opportunities in the energy transition, emphasising that further development in this area will be crucial to reducing emissions and achieving the country's environmental targets.

Greek Tribune Adelaide, South Australia