EV Sales Surge, Empty Dealer Lots in Australia
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- EV sales surged in March across Australia and New Zealand, driven by rising petrol and diesel costs and uncertainty about peak fuel prices.
- Dealers reported empty yards of EVs, longer waiting lists, and warnings not to sell demonstration vehicles.
- BYD dealers sold out, with one reporting 31 cars sold in a single morning and Queensland sales reaching up to 800 cars per day, prompting an additional order of 30,000 units.
- Tesla delivery centre in Australia has a four‑month wait for a new Model Y, with staff describing the showroom as packed.
- Petrol price in Australia sits around AU$2.30 per litre (diesel about AU$3) after the federal government cut fuel excise to 26 cents per litre.
- New South Wales EV registrations rose roughly 50 % from February to March, according to social media reports.
- Home charger sales have exploded, and public charger usage has notably increased.
Why it matters: Buyers now face longer wait times and higher prices for both new and used EVs, while dealers scramble to restock, and manufacturers like BYD see record demand. The shift accelerates Australia's move away from fossil‑fuel cars and boosts the charging‑infrastructure market.
