Electric vehicle sales surge as drivers tackle holiday travel

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 22:02 · Archive

Electric vehicle sales in Australia have surged almost 150 per cent year-on-year, with an expected 250,000 additional EVs on roads by year-end.

Electric vehicles have experienced significant growth in Australia in 2026, with sales up almost 150 per cent between January and October compared with the same period in 2025. Based on this trajectory, an additional 250,000 EVs are expected on Australian roads by year-end, with many families embarking on summer holidays in battery-powered cars for the first time.

Over the Easter long weekend, several drivers reported waiting up to five hours at charging points on major thoroughfares and at country tourist destinations. The good news is that forward planning can help avoid such delays and make the experience smoother.

One key consideration for road trips is that advertised driving range does not necessarily reflect real-world highway performance. Electric vehicles are more efficient during city driving, with energy consumption increasing at motorway speeds. This contrasts with petrol and diesel vehicles, which generally achieve better fuel economy during highway driving. Drivers planning longer journeys cannot rely solely on claimed driving range, which represents an average of urban and country driving, particularly when travelling on highways and freeways.

Planning charging stops in advance, rather than treating them as an afterthought as with traditional fuel stops, is essential for EV holidays, as service stations are not universally available across the country like petrol stations.

How it is being reported

• EV road tripping: Best ways to prep for your holidayOwning an electric car doesn’t mean having to give up the Aussie tradition of a driving holiday. Here are some tips to make things go more smoothly.The West Australian · 13 Nov, 21:33
• EV road tripping: Best ways to prep for your holidayOwning an electric car doesn’t mean having to give up the Aussie tradition of a driving holiday. Here are some tips to make things go more smoothly.Perth Now · 13 Nov, 21:33

In this story: Australia

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