Australia just had its biggest month for EVs ever

If you've been watching fuel prices lately, you're not imagining it - and you're not alone in wondering whether there's a better option out there.

March 2026 was a record month for electric vehicles in Australia. A total of 15,839 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold - the highest single-month figure the country has ever seen. BEVs reached 14.6% of all new car sales in March, nearly double the share from the same time last year, and up 89% year-on-year.

A lot of that comes down to two things happening at once: fuel costs putting real pressure on household budgets, and the Electric Car Discount making EVs genuinely accessible for everyday workers.

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Who's making the switch

It's not just the early adopters anymore.

Essential workers, people on average incomes, and those in outer suburbs and regional areas are increasingly making the switch. Workers with longer commutes feel the impact of fuel costs most - and for many, that's what's finally made the case for an EV.

The maths is straightforward: EV drivers typically save around $3,000 per year on running costs. When you add a novated lease and the Electric Car Discount on top - with payments coming straight from your pre-tax salary and no upfront cost - those savings become hard to ignore, especially right now.

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The broader market

The overall new car market was down 2.6% in March to 108,703 registrations, with private buyers, businesses, and government fleets all pulling back.

On the EV side, more brands and more competition means more choice at more price points. Chinese brands took 24% market share in March - with BYD, GWM, MG and Chery all in the top 10 - and China now supplies more vehicles to Australia than Japan. More options coming into the market is good news for anyone considering making the switch.

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What is a Novated Lease?

A novated lease is an arrangement between you, your employer, and a finance provider. Your employer deducts your car payments directly from your pre-tax salary, which reduces your taxable income and means you pay less tax overall.

It covers more than just the car. Fuel, insurance, registration, and servicing can all be bundled in - one fixed payment, taken care of before your salary hits your account.

If you choose an eligible EV, the Electric Car Discount means Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) doesn't apply - which is where the savings really add up.

When the lease ends, you have the option to buy the car outright, refinance, or start a new lease on a different vehicle.

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What this means for you

If fuel costs have you rethinking your car situation, it's worth understanding what's actually available to you.

A novated lease through Simplygreen lets you use pre-tax dollars to cover your car, fuel, insurance, registration and maintenance. On an eligible EV, the Electric Car Discount means Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) doesn't apply - so the savings go further again. You don't need to be a high earner. You just need to be an employee.

If you'd like to understand what you could save, we're happy to walk you through it.

Get a free quote for a Novated Lease here

Sources

• NALSPA media release, April 2026
• FCAI VFACTS and Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) data, March 2026, compiled by Cox Automotive for NALSPA

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