Early data shows Tesla's Model Y driving a strong recovery in electric vehicle sales across Australia in February 2026, following a sluggish January. Combined sales for Tesla and Polestar reached 3,419 units, with year-to-date figures up 61% from 2025. The Model Y accounted for 2,791 of those sales, positioning it as the top seller for the month.
Electric vehicle sales in Australia picked up in February 2026, rebounding from a decline in January. According to data from the Electric Vehicle Council, Tesla and Polestar together sold 3,419 EVs during the month, a notable increase from the previous month's performance. The Tesla Model Y dominated, with 2,791 units delivered, helping to offset earlier slowdowns.
This uptick contrasts with January 2026, when overall EV sales dropped compared to December 2025's figure of over 7,400 units. Year-to-date sales for Tesla and Polestar in 2026 are 61% higher than the same period in 2025, partly due to lower Model Y volumes in early 2025 amid a transition to a refreshed version, with deliveries of the new model beginning in May 2025.
Tesla's Model 3 also saw growth, with 483 units sold—more than double the previous month's total. For Polestar, sales totaled 145 units, led by the Polestar 4 at 97 units, followed by the Polestar 2 with 45. The Polestar 3 managed only 3 sales, possibly affected by competition from vehicles like the Zeekr 7X.
While Tesla and Polestar's share of the total EV market has dipped amid new entrants, Tesla maintains an edge through its Full Self-Driving software, set to become available via a $149 monthly subscription. Broader market data from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries' vFacts, expected later in the week, may confirm around 9% of February's vehicle sales as battery electric. BYD's Sealion 7 has shown strong initial appeal among family SUV buyers since its 2025 launch.
