Shift to electric vehicles gathers pace
Queensland saw a massive spike in the uptake of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in 2023.
The Australian Automobile Association’s (AAA) EV Index shows that sales of BEVs in Queensland rose 177.05% from 2022 to 2023.
There were 18,551 BEVs sold in Queensland last year compared with 6,696 in 2022 – an increase of 11,855.
The AAA EV Index online data dashboard analyses all new light vehicle sales and shows that from 2022 to 2023, new light vehicle sales in Queensland rose among all fuel types, but nothing matched the spectacular growth of BEVs.
The sales of plug-in hybrids year-on-year in Queensland were up 75.2% (934 vehicles), hybrids were up 25.04% (4,016 vehicles) and internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles were up 4.49% (8,900 vehicles).
Queensland placed third in the percentage growth in BEV sales nationally behind the Northern Territory at 314.71% and South Australia at 203.89%.
Queensland (18,555) was also positioned third for total BEV sales in 2023, behind New South Wales (28,883) and Victoria (22,089).
RACQ Head of Public Policy Michael Kane expected the rise in popularity of EVs to continue to grow in 2024.
“The strong growth in EV sales seen in 2023 is expected to continue in 2024 as more new, affordable EV models come to market,” Mr Kane said.
“RACQ’s 2023 Vehicle Operating Costs report highlighted how new, cheaper models were changing the game on EV affordability.
“Strong growth in Queensland was also likely due to the Queensland Government’s EV subsidy.”
RACQ's car comparison hub can help you find your next car, including EVs and hybrids
Total 2023 national new vehicle sales in the three main fuel types were: ICE vehicles 965,132, hybrids 98,439 and BEVs 87,217.
The figures confirm a trend of growth for BEVs and hybrids and a reduction in market share for ICE vehicles.
From 2022 to 2023, new vehicle sales penetration (market share) was ICE 83.06% (down 5.19% year-on-year), hybrid 8.47% (up 0.54%) and BEV 7.51% (up 4.27%).
The EV Index provides data on Australia’s vehicle technology transition.
It collates information from multiple national, state, and territory sources, including information provided by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and used with the FCAI’s permission.
The index aims to enable consumers, businesses and fleet managers to see the trends transforming the national vehicle market.
Its online dashboard covers light vehicles of all fuel types – BEVs, PHEVs, conventional hybrids, HFCEV (hydrogen fuel cell) and ICE.
The AAA is the nation’s peak motoring body, representing Australia’s state-based motoring clubs, including RACQ, and their 8.9 million members.
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