EVs and hybrids approach half of Australian new car sales amid ongoing fuel crisis

<p>Australians bought EVs and hybrids at nearly same rate as petrol cars between April and June, Australian Automobile Association data shows</p><ul><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>Australians are now buying electric and hybrid vehicles at the same rate as traditional petrol-powered cars, according to new data that shows EV sales doubled in the months after the peak of the fuel price spike.</p><p>Fuel prices are again <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/01/petrol-prices-on-track-to-top-2-a-litre-as-bowen-sounds-death-knell-for-fuel-excise-relief">on track to top $2 a litre</a>, after the federal government’s fuel excise reductions – introduced to offset the impact of the ongoing crisis in the Middle East – come to an end on Sunday.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/aug/02/ev-hybrids-almost-half-australian-new-car-sales-april-june-fuel-crisis">Continue reading...</a>