Australia’s electric vehicle sales have increased by more than twofold so far in 2023 compared to last year, The Guardian reports, citing the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries’ latest data.
However, industry experts contend that the year-to-date EV sales could have been higher if only the national government adopted crucial fuel efficiency standards.
“We were hopeful it would be high but this is at the top end of our expectations.”
FCAI CEO Tony Weber
BEV sales (Jan-Nov 2023)
FCAI’s data revealed that battery-electric vehicle (BEV) sales reached a total of 80,446 units as of November 2023.
Impressively, this figure represents a 185% year-on-year growth compared to 28,326 units in the same period in 2022.
It is also worth noting that BEVs accounted for 7.2% of all vehicle sales in Australia this year to date.
Monthly sales record and YoY comparison
Presented below are Australia’s electric vehicle sales from January to November 2023 compared to last year:
| Month | 2022 | 2023 |
| January | 620 | 4,852 |
| February | 600 | 5,932 |
| March | 5,532 | 6,612 |
| April | 866 | 6,530 |
| May | 925 | 8,124 |
| June | 1,137 | 11,042 |
| July | 609 | 6,846 |
| August | 4,235 | 6,984 |
| September | 7,247 | 8,821 |
| October | 2,098 | 6,057 |
| November | 4,457 | 8,646 |
| December | 5,084 | – |
| Total | 33,410 | 80,446 |
Call for a fuel efficiency standard
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Behyad Jafari noted that 2022 marks the third consecutive year EV sales reported more than double YoY growth as supply started to match the level of demand.
Jafari further asserted that the Australian market now has cheaper models under $40,000. However, he stated that the lack of a fuel efficiency standard continues to impede supply.
In effect, it hampers the industry from reaching its full potential.
Nonetheless, the federal government continues to promise to complete the necessary impact analysis “before the end of this year.” At the same time, it also plans to announce more information about its selected model for the fuel efficiency standard.
