VFACTS: BYD sales in Australia revealed for the first time, as EV registrations soar

Chinese newcomer, BYD, has announced its first batch of sales data in Australia.

VFACTS sales figures released today by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) reveal 845 BYD Atto 3 electric SUVs were reported as sold in November.

This has placed the brand – which only sells the Atto 3 small SUV in Australia currently – behind Tesla as the nation's second-highest-selling electric vehicle brand, and ahead of MG, Hyundai, Polestar, Volvo and Kia.

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When comparing electric vehicle sales in November, the BYD Atto 3 placed second on the podium for the best-selling in Australia, behind the Tesla Model Y (1805), but in front of the Tesla Model 3 (391), MG ZS EV (361) and Volvo C40 Recharge (243).

Therefore, the Atto 3 accounted for approximately one-in-five electric vehicles sold last month.

This is despite local deliveries of many just-registered BYD Atto 3 vehicles being temporarily halted in late October due to an Australian Design Rule compliance issue surrounding its child restraint Isofix anchor points and passenger airbag 'off' switch. Deliveries resumed in mid-November.

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Overall, electric vehicle sales totalled 4457 for the month, equating to a 4.7 per cent market share.

When excluding light commercial vehicles – limited to the newly-launched LDV eT60 ute (two units registered), and LDV eDeliver 9 and Mercedes-Benz eVito electric vans – this jumps to 6.5 per cent for passenger cars and SUVs.

As Tesla didn't report its data in 2021, electric vehicle sales have risen by 685 per cent compared to the same month last year. When excluding the brand, this growth percentage drops to 298 per cent.

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While dedicated EV nameplates are listed in the sales data, cars sold under the same banner as an internal-combustion vehicle are combined.

Hyundai Australia has confirmed it sold 71 examples of the Kona Electric in November, with year-to-date sales equalling 1028 examples. This is believed to make it the fourth best-selling electric vehicle so far in 2022, behind the Tesla Model 3, Model Y, and Polestar 2.

Electric vehicle sales in November 2022