This comes as the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) 'VFACTS' report released Wednesday revealed of the 97,251 new vehicles sold in March, 6,621 were EVs. 

The 6,621 new EVs sold capture a 6.8% share of the new car sales market, with new hybrid sales sitting at 5,247 for the month of March.

FCAI Chief Executive Tony Weber detailed battery electric vehicle sales (EVs) grew by 19.5% on March 2022 figures, along with plug-in hybrids which increased by 33.3%.

“This growth demonstrates that where Australians can afford a battery electric vehicle which suits their lifestyle, they will buy them,” Mr Weber said. 

Despite the sales growth of both new EVs and hybrid vehicles compared to March 2022 figures, Mr Weber said the top three best sellers for March 2023 were utes.

“The consumer preference for utes and SUVs is an important factor to consider as we journey to a zero-emission light vehicle fleet because these vehicles are more difficult and expensive to electrify,” he said. 

“If we want more zero and low emission vehicles on our roads, then we must provide the necessary recharging infrastructure and move to implement an ambitious yet achievable fuel efficiency standard which will encourage manufacturers to allocate more of the limited supply to Australia.”

Across the states, the report revealed new car sales grew in Queensland by 4.9%, South Australia by 2.6%, Western Australia by 1.1% and the ACT by 1.0%.

At the opposite end of the ladder, new car sales decreased in the Northern Territory by -15.3%, Victoria by -11.2%, Tasmania by -8.4% and New South Wales by -6.1%. 

Highest selling models in March 2023

  1. Toyota Hilux, 4,583 new sales.
  2. Ford Ranger, 4,508 new sales.
  3. Isuzu D-Max, 2,789 new sales.
  4. Mitsubishi Outlander, 2,169 new sales.
  5. Tesla Model Y, 1,938 new sales.

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