According to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, Victorians are buying battery electric vehicles in record numbers. May continues the 2026 trend of monthly EV sales records amid global pressure on petrol prices.
Battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles now account for almost a third (29.6 per cent) of new vehicle sales in Australia, following record-breaking results in May.
The surge in demand has accelerated since early 2026, amid rising petrol prices and broader geopolitical tensions affecting global fuel markets. In May, the Tesla Model Y became the country’s top-selling vehicle for the first time, recording 5605 sales, with Chinese manufacturer BYD also ranking strongly across the market.
At the same time, charging at home is becoming more accessible and affordable, with energy retailers offering tailored plans that allow EV owners to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity rates.
The Victorian Energy Compare tool – the state government’s free energy comparison service – provides households with personalised results based on their usage, including EV charging, to help them identify the most cost-effective offers.
From October, EV drivers who shift charging to daytime hours may also benefit from the Victorian Government’s new Victorian Midday Power Saver, which offers free electricity between 11am and 2pm each day.
The government estimates households on the program could save between $149 and $428, depending on consumption patterns and the proportion of usage shifted into the free midday window. EV owners could save an additional $674 by charging during this period, bringing total potential savings to around $1012.
With more than 110,000 EVs now on Victorian roads, the government is continuing to expand charging infrastructure across the state.
An additional 22 public charging stations are planned across 13 locations, building on the 133 already delivered under the Destination Charging Across Victoria program. This will bring the total to 155 chargers across 127 high-use metropolitan and regional sites.
The state’s growing EV uptake aligns with its target of 50 per cent of all new light vehicle sales being electric by 2030.
