The Tesla Model Y has become the first electric car to lead the overall Australian sales charts – across all fuel types – as high fuel prices drive a surge in demand for EVs and hybrids.

An electric vehicle (EV) has topped the Australian new-car sales charts for the first time in the third consecutive record month for the market share of battery-powered vehicles, amid a surge in demand driven by high fuel prices.

The Tesla Model Y reported a record 5605 sales in May 2026 to become the nation's top-selling car, ahead of the Ford Ranger (4474) and Toyota HiLux (4005) utes, and Toyota RAV4 hybrid SUV (3865).

Toyota remained Australia's top-selling new-car brand, its reported tally of 16,342 cars a decline of 30.7 per cent compared to the same month in 2025.

The Model Y's tally of 5605 registrations is a record result, however, and the first time it has led the Australian new-car sales charts outright.

It has previously finished second – behind the Ford Ranger in June 2023 – and topped the passenger vehicle charts, but never the overall leaderboard.

https://www.drive.com.au/news/australian-new-car-sales-in-may-2026-tesla-model-y...