EV sales break all-time quarterly record, led by Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, and Tesla Model 3

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A report from the Australian Automobile Association has revealed that this year’s second quarter saw the greatest number of electric vehicles to date in Australia. 

29,244 electric vehicles were sold across April, May, and June 2025. Tesla led the charge with 8986 registrations; 81-percent of which went to the Model Y, alone shifting 7317 cars.  Tesla’s sole other vehicle in Oz, the Model 3, still posted a respectable 1669 unit figure. 

The Tesla Model Y still holds the title as world’s most popular EV as well as Australia’s most popular EV. Its recent May facelift undoubtedly helped hold its strong sales position, with appealing Launch Edition models as well as runout model discounts enticing new buyers. 

BYD contributed the second most number of EV sales to the 2025 Q2 EV sales record. 6708 BYD EVs sold in total, with the most popular model revealed to be the Sealion 7, clocking 3026 registrations.

The BYD Sealion 7 fiercely contends the more established Tesla Model Y. It starts at $54,990 before on-road costs, undercutting Tesla’s $58,900 ‘Y’ by just under $4000. In April, the Sealion 7 outsold the Model Y with 743 registrations to Tesla’s 280. 

Year to date, the Tesla Model Y remains comfortably ahead of BYD’s Sealion 7, so far selling 10,986 units to BYD’s 5183 up to the month of July. 

Kia contributed the third largest EV sales figure for Q2 2025. Up to 2809 Kia EVs found their way to buyers across the second quarter, led by the Kia EV5 with 1598 sales. 

The Kia EV5 starts at $56,770 before on-road costs. It also rivals the Model Y and Sealion 7.

Battery-electric power was the third most popular powerplant option overall in Q2. Second place went to plugless hybrids, with 46,732 registrations heavily composed of various Toyota models – Australia’s best selling brand.

The Japanese company pledged to sell solely electric or hybrid-power vehicles in Australia in June 2024. Its most popular vehicle year-to-date to July is the Toyota Hilux, with 30,943 sales. The Hilux range is available with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with rolling stop-start. 

Internal-combustion engines remained Australia’s favoured powerplant for Q2. The total ICE registration figure was a staggering 226,306, with Ford contributing the most combustion-only vehicle registrations (25,807) led by the Ford Ranger (12,823).