CANBERRA, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Battery electric vehicle (EV) sales in Australia hit a record high for the fifth consecutive month in June, with China now "established" as the country's leading source of vehicles, according to the industry's peak body.
Monthly data released on Friday by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) revealed that 23.3 percent of the 140,058 new vehicles sold nationwide in June were battery EVs, surpassing the previous record-high proportion of 20 percent in May.
It marks the fifth consecutive month that battery EV sales have hit a new record high.
Since the streak began in February, the market share for battery EVs in Australia has almost doubled from 11.8 percent of total sales to 23.3 percent.
February was also the first month that China became Australia's largest source of new vehicles after Japan had been the leading source since 1998.
A media release from the FCAI on Friday noted that China is "now established as Australia's leading source of vehicles."
Vehicles sourced from China accounted for 46,592 sales in June, up from 22,362 in February, compared to 27,098 from Japan.
Toyota remained Australia's leading manufacturer in June, selling 19,124 vehicles, but BYD rose to second place with 18,881 sales.
BYD sold 52,335 vehicles in Australia through the first six months of 2026, up 124 percent from 23,355 sales in the first half of 2025, while Toyota's total sales through the first half of the year fell from 120,978 in 2025 to 95,141 in 2026.
Tony Weber, chief executive officer of the FCAI, described the June sales data as a paradigm shift for the Australian market.
"The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry," he said.
"Global uncertainty, including conflict in the Middle East and volatility in petrol prices, appears to have sharpened consumer interest in vehicles that reduce exposure to fuel prices." ■
