Just over 600 electric vehicles were delivered to Australian customers in July, with the Polestar 2 topping the list as the country’s most popular dedicated plug-in.
VFACTS data shows that 92 Polestars were sold locally in July, seeing the Chinese-built model lead the Hyundai Kona Electric (83) and the Hyundai Ioniq Electric (69).
Overall, 609 electric vehicles were sold in July. In spite of this being comfortably more than the 515 sold in the same month last year, in the context of 2021 they represent a lull in the market.
In June, 1137 electric vehicles were sold in Australia, meaning that July’s 609 sales represented a 46.4% monthly drop. The vast change is less an indication of demand falling, and more an indication of supply continuing to be impacted by semiconductor shortages and inflation turbulence.
The EV market is expected to rebound significantly in August, following the arrival of Tesla’s latest grand shipment of Model 3s and Model Ys. Just four Teslas were delivered to customers in July.
Year-to-date, the Tesla Model 3 is still lightyears ahead of its rivals in the EV segment. It has 4657 sales to its name. It’s closest rival, the Kona Electric, has a relatively paltry 657 sales.
Tesla isn’t the only marque awaiting significant arrivals. BYD is also eagerly waiting for a shipment, in its case of Atto 3 compact crossovers.
It’s been reported that more that Tesla has received more than 15,000 orders for the Model Y, and BYD has received approximately 3000 orders for the Atto 3.
MG is also set to launch its second-generation ZS EV in the coming months, with the popular first generation model’s phase-out adding yet another dimension to July’s low number of sales.
The new ZS EV is set to arrive in Australia in September.
