Australia’s transition to electric is no longer “on the horizon” it’s happening now. I had the opportunity to attend the Melbourne Motorshow back for its 2nd year while also spending the last few weeks in the country to test the pulse of the industry and put together a summary of the Motorshow and the feeling on the ground in Australia.
EVs accounted for 14.6% of new car sales in March, a clear signal that consumer behaviour is shifting. That growth is being driven by a combination of improving affordability, increased model availability, and rising pressure from external factors particularly fuel costs.
Petrol prices remain volatile, with Australians frequently paying north of $2.20 per litre, while ongoing concerns about fuel security and global supply continue to shape long-term thinking. For many consumers, the shift to electric is no longer just about sustainability it’s about cost certainty and control.
Infrastructure Is Catching Up
At the same time, infrastructure is starting to support demand.
NSW Government a partner to Everything Electric SYDNEY is leading the way, with significant investment into EV charging from ultra-fast highway corridors to kerbside charging in urban areas. This is a critical unlock. Range anxiety has historically been one of the biggest barriers to adoption, and that barrier is now starting to fall away.
Read more about the announcement here
A Market Full of Momentum
If there was any doubt about where the market is heading, the Melbourne Motor Show made it clear.
The show reflected a market accelerating at pace strong attendance, high engagement, and clear intent from both consumers and manufacturers. Interest in both BEVs and broader NEVs was consistently high throughout.
The brands leading that charge are now well established in Australia: Polestar, BYD, Geely, Zeekr, Tesla, Kia, MG and GWM all pushing aggressively with new models and long-term ambition.
These are also brands that have built strong engagement with audiences at Everything Electric SYDNEY, and that momentum is now translating into real market impact.
More Choice Than Ever And It’s Getting Competitive
The most important shift in the market is simple: choice.
Australia is moving from a limited EV offering to a fully competitive landscape, with new models launching across every segment.
Entry-Level & Mass Market EVs
This is where the real acceleration is happening EVs are becoming genuinely accessible:
- GWM Ora 5
From $33,990 drive-away, offering up to 430km WLTP range and 150kW output
→ A clear signal that sub $35k EVs are now viable at scale - Geely EX2 (first preview)
Expected in the low $30k range, with up to 400km range (CLTC)
→ Positioned as a key volume player in Australia - GAC AION UT
New entrant targeting the affordable EV segment
→ A direct competitor to MG4 and Ora, focused on urban buyers - MG4 Urban & MGS6 (previewed)
MG continuing to scale its EV offering across hatchback and SUV segments, with MG4 hatch from $31,990 New Marketing Director Dimitri Andreatidis said MG’s goal is to “lower the barriers to electrification” by offering EVs priced like petrol cars, with competitive range and features
This is the segment that will drive mass adoption.
Mid-Market & Practical EVs/Hybrids
The next phase of growth is about replacing ICE vehicles across all use cases:
- KIA PV5 Cargo
– Expanding into commercial segments - MG U9 EV Ute
– The U9 EV combines a 325kW dual-motor drivetrain with a large 103kWh battery for a WLTP range of around 430km & rated to tow up to 3500kg - GWM Tank 300 PHEV
– Highlighting the continued role of hybrid technology in the transition - BYD Shark 6
– The new Cab-Chassis model – available in Dynamic trim level and priced at $55,900 plus on-road costs – slots into the range below the existing Premium model ($57,900 + ORCs).
This is where EVs move from “second car” to default choice.
Premium & Performance EVs
At the top end, the pace of innovation is accelerating even faster:
- Denza Z9GT
– Up to 820km range
– 850kW output (tri-motor AWD)
– 0-100 km/h in 2.7 seconds
– Ultra-fast charging capability
– A flagship model that showcases just how far EV performance and technology have advanced - Polestar 5
– 0-100 Km/h in 3.2 seconds
– up to 678km range, for dual motor variant
– 800V architecture, supporting up to 350kW DC fast charging
New Entrants Reshaping the Market
Beyond individual models, the broader shift is being driven by new brands entering Australia at scale:
GAC launching with AION UT
- Denza entering as a premium brand under BYD
- Geely expanding aggressively
- Honda returning to the Australian motor show stage after 13 years with the Super N
This level of new market entry is unprecedented and it’s accelerating competition across every segment.
Competition Is Driving the Transition
This is what a healthy, maturing market looks like:
- More brands
- More models
- More price points
For consumers, that means better value and more confidence to make the switch. For the industry, it means the transition is accelerating faster than many expected.
The Bottom Line
Australia’s EV market is reaching a genuine inflection point:
- 14.6% market share and rising
- Fuel costs continuing to apply pressure
- Infrastructure investment building confidence
- Competition unlocking real choice
The Melbourne show reinforced a clear signal: the market is not just interested in new vehicles, it is actively preparing to transition. That sentiment is consistent with what we continue to see across Everything Electric events, where attendance growth and engagement reflect accelerating consumer intent around electrification.
Across our 2025 season, we saw visitor numbers increase significantly, underscoring rising demand for practical solutions across home energy, charging, and electric mobility.
In Australia, that momentum is being driven by fundamentals: lower running costs, expanding renewable energy generation, improving charging infrastructure, and growing confidence in long-term energy independence.
And from here, the pace only builds.
We return to Sydney for Everything Electric, taking place 18–20 September at Sydney Olympic Park, bringing together the people, products, and ideas shaping the next phase of Australia’s energy and transport transition.
About the author
Carlo is Chief Commercial Officer at Fully Charged Show, at the forefront of scaling the world’s leading electric vehicle and clean energy platform. In Australia, he’s leading the charge—expanding Everything Electric into a major force in the energy transition.
