Business
5 March, 2026
Drivers ditch petrol as EV sales nearly double
Sales of electric vehicles from two of the world’s best-known brands have surged in Australia, with industry figures suggesting the trend could accelerate further as instability in the Middle East places pressure on global oil prices.
Sales of electric vehicles from two of the world’s best-known brands have surged in Australia, with industry figures suggesting the trend could accelerate further as instability in the Middle East places pressure on global oil prices.
New data released by the Electric Vehicle Council shows Tesla and Polestar delivered a combined 3,419 new vehicles in Australia in February 2026 — a 99 per cent increase compared with the same month last year.
Tesla dominated the result, delivering 3,274 vehicles in February, more than double the 1,592 vehicles it sold in February 2025.
Polestar delivered 145 vehicles during the month, up from 125 a year earlier.
Across the first two months of 2026, combined sales from the two brands are already 61 per cent higher than the same period in 2025.
The figures come at a time when global energy markets are increasingly volatile, with tensions in the Middle East again raising concerns about oil supply and pushing up fuel prices in many countries.
Historically, periods of rising petrol prices have tended to accelerate interest in electric vehicles as drivers look for ways to reduce running costs and insulate themselves from global oil shocks.
Industry analysts say the latest sales figures suggest the Australian market may already be responding to that pressure, with more buyers considering electric vehicles as an alternative to petrol and diesel cars.
While electric vehicles still represent a minority of total car sales in Australia, the pace of growth has been rapid over the past two years as more models enter the market and charging infrastructure expands.
The Electric Vehicle Council said the monthly report reflects vehicles delivered in Australia from participating brands and does not yet capture the entire new car market.
The organisation is encouraging more manufacturers to provide their data to improve transparency across the sector and give consumers a clearer picture of national vehicle sales trends.
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