VFACTS April 2026: EVs hit one in six as Chinese brands reshape the market
News
6 min read
Share this article:
News
10 min read
Electric vehicle sales have continued to soar in 2026, with battery-electric models accounting for one-in-six of the 94,049 new cars sold last month, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids (combined) accounted for almost one-in-three. While April may not have been a record month for sheer volume, it certainly was for hybrid and EV share at a combined 45.9 per cent.
94,049 new vehicles sold in April 2026, up 3.8 per cent year-on-year
EVs reached a record 16.4 per cent share, with one in every six vehicles sold electric
BYD ranked second overall with 7,702 sales and 8.3 per cent market share
Chinese-manufactured vehicles accounted for approximately 30 per cent of all April sales
Toyota retained top spot, with the RAV4 and HiLux placing first and third respectively
April’s headline number is hard to ignore: one in every six new vehicles sold in Australia was electric. That 16.4 per cent share is a record, and it didn’t arrive on the back of one or two standout models. Around 110 EV options are now on sale, and buyers are finding viable choices across more segments than ever before.
Growth came from multiple directions. Electric SUVs were up 184.5 per cent year-on-year, and plug-in hybrids surged in the SUV segment, up more than five-fold on the prior year. For buyers not yet ready to go fully electric, PHEVs are clearly filling that gap. Hybrids across all body types also held strong, up 27.1 per cent year-on-year.
The Federal Government confirmed the Electric Car Discount will continue, on the same day the April results landed. FCAI chief executive Tony Weber noted the scheme has provided important stimulus, with further EV growth expected across the remainder of 2026. Weber also flagged charging infrastructure as the next pressure point, saying investment needs to keep pace with rising demand for public charging.
BYD finished second overall in April with 7,702 sales and 8.3 per cent market share. For context, that’s more than double its April 2025 result. The breadth behind that number is what makes it stand out. BYD wasn’t built on one model doing the heavy lifting. It posted meaningful volume across every segment it competes in, from utes to SUVs to passenger cars.
Chery and GWM also had strong months, placing ninth and seventh overall respectively. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro was the country’s fourth best-selling model for the month, sitting between the HiLux and the Hyundai Kona. That’s no longer a surprise result. It’s a sign of where buyer appetite is heading.
Newer entrants are gaining ground quickly too. Geely, Omoda Jaecoo and Zeekr all recorded notable results in April. A year ago, most of these nameplates were either absent from Australia or registering in the dozens. Taken together, Chinese-manufactured vehicles accounted for roughly 30 per cent of the total market in April, up from around 15 per cent in the same month last year.
SUVs continue to dominate, making up 66.1 per cent of total new vehicle sales in April, up from 59.8 per cent in the same month last year. Medium SUVs were the standout segment, up 35.5 per cent for the month, driven by strong private buyer demand. The Toyota RAV4 held the top model position, ahead of the Ford Ranger and HiLux.
Ute and large SUV volumes were softer in April. The Ranger, HiLux and Everest were all down year-on-year, though these models remain among the country’s best sellers. April is typically a quieter month seasonally, and the full-year picture will be more telling.
With the Electric Car Discount secured and EV model availability continuing to expand, April’s record 16.4 per cent share may prove a marker on an ongoing trajectory rather than a ceiling. Charging infrastructure will need to keep pace, and the FCAI says it needs coordinated public and private investment to do so.
Medium SUVs show no sign of slowing, attracting both private and business buyers in growing numbers. New model arrivals from established and emerging brands keep adding to the options available.
April confirms what dealers have been watching build for months: the market is more competitive and more diverse than it has ever been. Buyers are actively considering a wider range of brands, and drivetrain options and that consideration is now showing up in the sales data.
Best-selling models of April 2026
Best-selling brands of April 2026
* Data sourced from VFACTS and the EVCouncil
Share this article:
Disclaimer:
The information presented in this article is true and correct at the time of publishing. business.carsales.com.au does not warrant or represent that the information is free from errors or omissions. The content is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice. For more details on our editorial standards and ethical guidelines, please visit our Editorial Guide Lines.
