Good afternoon
Please find attached the EVC’s Vehicle Sales Report for May 2026 - a record-breaking month - to assist with reporting on total car sales.
Headline results:
- Tesla hits record monthly sales: Tesla recorded 6,433 BEV sales* in May 2026 - the highest single month in the EVC dataset, surpassing the previous peak of 6,017 in March 2024.
- Combined Tesla and Polestar sales set new high: New Tesla and Polestar BEV sales reached 6,681 in May - an all-time monthly record.
- Strong year-on-year rebound: Combined Tesla and Polestar BEV sales were 61.4% higher than May 2025 and 358% higher than April 2026.
- Year-to-date sales accelerate: Combined YTD sales reached 15,866, up 52.7% on the same period in 2025.
- Model Y drives the result: Tesla Model Y accounted for 5,605 sales in May, representing 84% of Tesla and Polestar BEV sales captured in the EVC Sales Report.
- Polestar 4 gains momentum: Polestar 4 sales are up 39.6% YTD compared with the same period last year.
- Eastern seaboard leads growth: NSW (+63.3%), Queensland (+65.1%) and Victoria (+61.9%) all recorded strong YTD growth.
* Please note that electric vehicle sales are recorded at the point of delivery, rather than when orders are made.
Tesla Country Director, Australia and New Zealand, Thom Drew said:
“Tesla has had another strong month in May, driven by the continued loyalty of our existing customers and a growing number of Australians choosing Tesla for the first time.
"This is not an isolated result. It reflects our sustained commitment to delivering world-class electric vehicles and an ownership experience that continues to raise the bar for the industry.
"A standout contributor to our momentum is the Model Y L, the only six-seat battery electric vehicle available in the Australian market. Starting from $74,900 plus on-roads, it offers exceptional value in the three-row electric SUV segment, making it an option that resonates incredibly well with families and fleet buyers alike.
As the EV segment continues to mature and expand, Tesla remains at the forefront, not by chance, but by design. We are proud of what we have built here in Australia, and equally excited about what comes next."
Polestar Australia Managing Director, Scott Maynard said:
"It is pleasing to see a sustained level of strong enquiry on electric vehicles through the month, with Polestar closing on a year-to-date growth rate of 14%.
"Polestar 4 remained our standout performer as we eagerly await arrivals of the new Polestar 2 and Polestar 3."
Electric Vehicle Council CEO, Julie Delvecchio said:
"May 2026 is an important moment for Australia's EV transition - the strongest month on record for combined Tesla and Polestar sales.
"Tesla's record-breaking 6,433 sales in a single month, the highest ever recorded in the Electric Vehicle Council's dataset, shows more Australians are choosing electric.
“When fuel prices hurt, people look for alternatives. Electric vehicles offer exactly that - no trips to the servo, no price spikes at the pump, savings of around $3,000 a year.
“We know Australians buy cars that save them money, suit their lifestyle and perform well. Record EV sales suggest more Australians are finding electric vehicles tick all three boxes.”
For reference:
- This is the Electric Vehicle Council’s monthly report of vehicles delivered in Australia - please attribute the data to the Electric Vehicle Council.
- This monthly report only includes sales from some brands only - it does not capture the entire new vehicle sales market in Australia.
- All car brands are welcome to provide their data for this free, public report on a non-exclusive basis. The EVC's aim is for data to be publicly available for all Australian new vehicle sales to enhance transparency and consumer confidence. It welcomes the support of more OEMs in achieving this goal.
Thank you.
Contact details:
Todd Hayward - 0412 205 151