In a sign the NVES may be working to change the car parc and improve emissions, EVs continue to bounce back in new sales figures.
FCAI figures show the number of new vehicles almost doubled in August compared to the same time last year with 6,848 pure EVs sold compared to 3,434 in August 2024,
These figures do not include Tesla or Polestar who have left the FCAI.
Overall, 44,746 have been sold in 2025, 22 per cent down on 57,701 at the same time as last year but a major boost after an extended flattening of the market in late 20024 and early 2025.
The AAA has reported the best quarter for EV sales on record up until June 2025 and these figures do include Tesla and Polestar.
The Australian Automobile Association’s quarterly review show EV sales in the three months to 30 June, lifting sales by 63.37 per cent on the low first quarter 2024 and mean they now make up 9.31 per cent of all new car sales market.
Plug-ins
Plug in hybrids that still use an ICE engine are also increasing in popularity with 33,550 vehicles sold in 2025 so far, a 155 increase on last year and driven by Chinese innovation in the ute space with PHEV models like the Shark.
Electric vehicles represented 6.8 per cent of VFACTS-recorded sales in August, while plug-in hybrid electric vehicles accounted for 3.9 per cent.
But the lower emission vehicles are good news for the federal government, whose NVES scheme came into material effect on July 1 and will begin to count against OEMs with polluting vehicles.
Cleaner air, fewer deaths
It is also good news for a healthier environment following new research that found Air pollution vehicles it was responsible for more premature deaths each year than the national road toll.
Research conducted at the Centre for Safe Air through the University of Tasmania and says traffic-related air pollution (TRAP) is attributable to 1864 premature deaths annually.
The research published in Environmental Research found 3684 premature deaths were attributable to air pollution from all sources while more than half or 51 % of this burden was related to traffic-related air pollution TRAP.
This makes it 500 more than the national road toll in the 12 months leading up to July 31, 2025, of 1360.
“Air pollution remains a significant contributor to mortality in Australia. Reducing exposure, particularly from TRAP, could yield substantial public health benefits. Policies promoting cleaner transport modes offer a promising avenue for rapid improvement,” the report said in its conclusion.
Policy support
The Electric vehicle Council has also been a strong advocate for the uptake of EVs to improve air pollution.
Electric Vehicle Council CEO Julie Delvecchio said government. policy need to continue to encourage the uptake following the AAA figures release
“It’s encouraging to see EV sales climb, but we’re still in the early stages of the transition, and numbers remain well short of what’s needed for a self-sustaining market. Electric vehicles need to make up at least 30 per cent of all new car sales in Australia before governments can responsibly consider withdrawing incentives or imposing taxes.
“These figures show good progress, but with the Productivity Commission calling for the removal of the FBT incentive and road user charges being discussed, this risks slamming the brakes on growth. These proposed changes will abruptly stall the shift to EVs, which benefit everyone through lower energy bills and cleaner air.
“Australia’s strongest quarter for EV sales yet is a testament to the current federal policies and incentives fuelling this growth. The New Vehicle Efficiency Standard is giving Australians more choice than ever before in low- and zero-emission cars. Combined with the discount on EVs through the FBT exemption, more everyday Australians are making the switch – and once they go electric, they don’t look back.”