EV Sales Australia: What Business Buyers Should Know
EV sales in Australia reached a milestone in August 2026: electric vehicles and hybrids together accounted for more than half of new-vehicle deliveries. Here’s what business buyers should consider before their next purchase.
Electrified vehicles
Combined share for battery-electric, conventional hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Fully electric vehicles
Battery-electric vehicles accounted for approximately one in four new deliveries.
Battery-electric deliveries
More than 27,000 fully electric vehicles were sold during the month.
Sources: carsales’ August 2026 report and the Australian Government’s 4 September release. Monthly whole-market figures, not business-only sales or the proportion of vehicles already on the road.
What changed in August?
Battery-electric vehicles outsold petrol vehicles as an individual fuel category in August 2026. That does not mean they outsold petrol and diesel combined, or that the same result applies across the whole year.
The 51.8% electrified share is a broader measure. It includes vehicles with a combustion engine as well as fully electric models. Carsales attributes its report to FCAI VFACTS and Electric Vehicle Council data.
“Electrified” does not mean “fully electric”
A battery-electric vehicle runs on battery power alone. A plug-in hybrid combines a combustion engine with a battery that can be charged externally. A conventional hybrid also combines an engine and electric drive, but does not plug in to charge.
What does this mean for your next business vehicle?
Our view: use the market shift as a reason to compare your options, not as a reason to rush a purchase. The right vehicle still needs to suit the work, the budget and the way your business operates.
Start with the job the vehicle needs to do
Compare daily kilometres, payload, towing and charging access. A vehicle used on predictable local routes may have different requirements from one travelling between regional sites. For work utes, our electric vs plug-in hybrid ute guide helps frame the decision.
Separate a vehicle offer from a finance offer
If a dealer advertises a factory bonus or run-out discount, ask for the full drive-away price and any conditions. Check whether the offer requires a particular finance package. Compare the total finance costs, fees and final payment as well as the regular repayment.
Check finance before committing
Send your broker the make, model, quote and intended business use. That provides a starting point for assessing suitable lenders and the information they need. Our EV finance requirements guide explains the application considerations.
A sales milestone is not a savings guarantee. These figures do not establish that every EV is cheaper to buy or run, or that current discounts are the “best ever”. Compare the particular vehicle and quote in front of you.
Replacing one vehicle—or planning a fleet?
For a single purchase, focus on the vehicle’s practical fit and the finance commitment. A used vehicle may also be worth comparing; our new vs used EV finance guide covers the differences to consider.
For several vehicles, look at the total purchase requirement, existing commitments and charging arrangements. A staged rollout can give a business time to assess how selected vehicles perform before making further purchases.
Read our EV Fleet Finance guide for planning multiple purchases, and our charging equipment finance guide if the project includes commercial chargers.
How Woodward Finance can help
Woodward Finance helps Australian businesses explore finance for eligible electric cars, utes, vans and trucks. With access to a panel of more than 60 lenders, we can assess your scenario and compare suitable options. Not every lender suits every vehicle or business.
You do not need to have every detail finalised to start a conversation. Tell us what you are considering, the approximate price and how your business will use it.
Found a vehicle—or weighing up your options?
Share the vehicle details and approximate purchase price. We’ll help you understand the next steps for business vehicle finance.
Australian EV sales: common questions
Were more than half of new vehicles fully electric?
No. In August 2026, 51.8% of new-vehicle deliveries were electrified, including conventional hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Fully electric vehicles accounted for 24.9%, according to the sources below.
Did electric vehicles outsell petrol vehicles?
Yes, battery-electric vehicles outsold petrol vehicles as an individual category in August 2026. This is a monthly result, not a claim that electric vehicles outsold petrol and diesel combined or led the full-year market.
Do these figures show business EV purchases?
No. The headline figures cover the overall new-vehicle market, across buyer types. They should not be described as the share of business purchases or the share of vehicles in existing business fleets.
Can Woodward Finance help with a business EV purchase?
Yes. We can explore suitable finance for eligible business-use vehicles, subject to lender criteria and approval. Start with our Electric Vehicle Finance page or contact the team with the vehicle details.
Sources and data notes
- Carsales for Business: August 2026 VFACTS report. Reports the 51.8% combined electrified share and 24.9% battery-electric share, using FCAI VFACTS and Electric Vehicle Council data.
- Australian Government: EV sales overtake petrol cars for the first time, 4 September 2026. Confirms more than 27,000 battery-electric sales and 24.9% market share.
Figures relate to August 2026. Reports differ slightly on exact battery-electric volumes and year-on-year growth, so this article uses the rounded volume and omits a precise growth percentage.
Published by Woodward Finance. General information only. Finance is subject to lender criteria, approval, terms and conditions. Obtain advice from your accountant on tax treatment for your circumstances.
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