Musk Congratulates Tesla Australia — August EV Sales Update

Electric vehicles had a record month in Australia this August, outselling gas, diesel, and hybrid cars combined for the first time. Of about 109,000 vehicles sold, more than 35% were plug-in models: 27,000 fully electric (up 170% from last year) and roughly 10,600 plug-in hybrids. The Tesla Model Y was the single best-selling vehicle in the country, ahead of popular gas trucks and SUVs, and Tesla ranked third among all car brands. Elon Musk publicly congratulated the Australian arm of the company over the results.

Beyond Tesla, Chinese automakers made the biggest gains. BYD, Geely, and Zeekr all placed vehicles in the top ten electric sellers, and nearly every Chinese brand grew sales year over year while most legacy brands declined. A newer, longer version of the Model Y, called the Model Y Long, is now outselling the standard model in Australia.

For homeowners elsewhere, the news mainly signals where electric vehicle costs and options are heading. A recent Australian survey found only 17% of people ruled out buying an EV, and the main reason people now choose electric is cost, not the environment: electricity there runs about 34 cents per kilowatt-hour versus roughly $2.50 a liter for gas. The biggest remaining worries were about battery lifespan and what happens when one wears out. None of this changes rebate rules or program deadlines in the US, but it points to electric vehicles becoming cheaper and more common — which matters if you're weighing a home charger or solar setup for a future EV purchase.