VFACTS April: Electrified vehicle sales soar

Electric vehicle sales have continued to soar in 2026, with battery-electric models accounting for one-in-six of the 94,049 new cars sold last month, while hybrids and plug-in hybrids (combined) accounted for almost one-in-three. While April may not have been a record month for sheer volume, it certainly was for hybrid and EV share at a combined 45.9 per cent.

But for all of the (continued) new EV growth, it was a hybrid that took top honours on the sales charts in the form of the new-generation Toyota RAV4.

Some 3729 Aussies bagged one of Toyota’s new medium SUVs last month which meant it beat the usually dominant Ford Ranger (3661) into second place and the ever-present HiLux (2835) into third.

The Chery Tiggo 4 snagged fourth spot with 2379 new registrations ahead of the Isuzu D-MAX (2195) which rounded out the top five.

Positions six-through-10 were occupied by the Hyundai Kona (2158), Toyota Prado (1870), BYD Sealion 7 (1780), GWM Haval Jolion (1754) and Ford Everest (1585) respectively.

To nobody’s surprise, Toyota was the top-selling brand in April with 15,185 total sales; well clear of BYD (7702) in second and Kia (6450) in third.

Where EV sales surged (+157% YoY), petrol and diesel sales tanked 30.1 and 21.7 per cent respectively, when compared to April last year.

But the biggest growth – up or down – belonged to plug-in hybrids which were up a mammoth 270.2 per cent last month.

Plugless hybrids, meantime, were up 27.1 per cent.

The continuing surge in electrified vehicle sales is hardly surprising given recent fuel prices and the ever-increasing array of genuinely affordable hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric models from both legacy and challenger brands alike.

April 2026 was the second-strongest April on record while the EV share has never been higher – odds are we’ll see that trend continue as the conflict in the Middle East continues and perhaps more importantly, the extension of the Electric Car Discount until April 2028.

Hybrid and PHEV sales will also undoubtedly continue as more models come to market, and consumers look to ease the pinch of exorbitant fuel prices.

Best-selling models of April 2026
1. Toyota RAV4 – 3729
2. Ford Ranger – 3661
3. Toyota Hilux – 2835
4. Chery Tiggo 4 – 2379
5. Isuzu D-MAX – 2195
6. Hyundai Kona – 2158
7. Toyota Prado – 1870
8. BYD Sealion 7 – 1780
9. GWM Haval Jolion – 1754
10. Ford Everest – 1585

Best-selling brands of April 2026
1. Toyota – 15,185
2. BYD – 7702
3. Kia – 6450
4. Hyundai – 6002
5. Ford – 5748
6. Mazda – 5636
7. GWM – 4717
8. Chery – 4322
9. MG – 3678
10. Isuzu Ute – 3447

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