FCAI publishes ZLEV sales report

THE Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) has released a new, publicly available report outlining sales trends of zero- and low-emissions vehicles (ZLEVs) across the nation.

Published quarterly from now on, the report will provide an overview of battery electric (BEV), hybrid electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and hydrogen fuel cell electric (FCEV) vehicle sales over the preceding 12 months.

State and territory breakdowns are also included.

The FCAI says the report is the first of its kind focussing on the ZLEV roll out in Australia, providing important information for decision makers and commentators.

Describing the VFACTS data on which the reports will be based as Australia's “premier source of car sales information,” FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said the initiative “will be vital in revealing the progress of zero and low emission vehicle penetration into Australia’s light vehicle fleet”. 

“An essential part of the journey to a zero-emissions light vehicle fleet is the implementation of an ambitious yet achievable fuel efficiency standard,” said Mr Weber.

“All FCAI members are aligned on the need for an emissions target which considers consumers, the unique nature of the Australian market, product availability, affordability, and the full range of zero- and low-emission technologies.”

The inaugural Zero and Low Emission Vehicle Report shows the uptake of BEV models grew steadily across 2022 as more models entered the Australian market. At the close of the calendar year, battery electric vehicles held a 4.3 per cent share of all new vehicle sales, slotting between hybrid electric vehicles (8.0 per cent) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (1.0 per cent).

Petrol- and diesel-powered vehicles continue to be the most popular sold with an 86 per cent slice of the action.

The report shows that locally, BEV sales have predominantly occurred within the passenger and SUV segments, which is consistent with other markets across the globe. Popular models within the Australian market include the Tesla Model 3 (10,877 unit sales in 2022), Tesla Model Y (8717 units), and BYD Atto 3 (2113 units).

PHEV model popularity favoured the Chinese-made MG HS (1554 units), Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (926 units) and Volvo XC60 (591 units), while HEV sales favoured the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid (26,547 units), Toyota Corolla Hybrid (17,585 units) and Toyota Kluger Hybrid (8413 units).

Interestingly, the majority of ZLEV vehicles purchased are by private buyers across BEV, HEV and PHEV segments.

The report also shows that most BEVs sold in Australia are now sourced from China, with 26,426 units arriving on local soil across 2022. The majority of HEVs sold are sourced from Japan (69,424 units), while the most popular PHEV models are also Chinese made (2145 units).

For more information regarding ZLEV uptake in Australia, and for a comprehensive state-by-state view of BEV, HEV and PHEV purchasing trends, click here.