Tesla and Polestar sales double as EV sales continue surge in April

Sales of electric vehicles from Tesla and Polestar more than doubled in April compared to the same month last year, reflecting a sustained surge in demand amid high fuel prices. Early figures from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) reveal that 1,458 units were sold between the two manufacturers, up from 702 in April 2025. This growth has contributed to a 47 per cent increase in their combined year-to-date sales, reaching 9,185 vehicles. Tesla remains the dominant player, accounting for the majority of sales with 1,225 EVs sold in April, led by the Model Y which achieved 822 units. Polestar’s sales also rose, albeit more modestly, with 233 vehicles sold, driven primarily by the Polestar 4 model. Despite a drop in Tesla’s monthly sales from March, the company has pledged to boost shipping volumes to address the growing backlog of orders and meet rising consumer demand. Regional data highlights New South Wales as the fastest-growing market for EVs, with a 66 per cent increase in sales compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, the Australian Capital Territory set a new record with electric vehicles accounting for 34 per cent of all new car sales in April, signalling a strong shift towards electrification in certain areas. Nationally, EVs reached a peak market share of 14.5 per cent in March, underscoring the accelerating transition away from internal combustion engines. The surge in interest is also reflected in insurance enquiries, with the NRMA reporting a 121 per cent jump in EV insurance quote requests year-on-year for April. Other manufacturers such as Hyundai have seen fluctuations in sales, with April figures down from March but still showing improvement over the start of the year. The overall trend points to growing consumer confidence and a broader acceptance of electric vehicles across Australia, driven by economic and environmental factors.