Australian electric vehicle sales reported by Tesla and Polestar continued their strong 2026 run in September, with combined deliveries rising almost 20 per cent compared with the same month last year.

New figures from the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC) show the two brands delivered 5854 battery-electric vehicles during September, up from 4899 a year earlier.

Tesla accounted for the overwhelming majority, delivering 5654 vehicles – a 21.3 per cent year-on-year increase – while Polestar slipped 15.3 per cent to 200.

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The Tesla Model Y remained the dominant vehicle, recording 4476 deliveries during September, up 14 per cent from 3927 last year. It accounted for more than three-quarters of all Tesla and Polestar vehicles included in the EVC report.

Model 3 sales rose more sharply, jumping 60 per cent to 1178 deliveries. The increase comes as Tesla expands the sedan’s Australian line-up, this week announcing a new entry-level Model 3 priced below $46,000 before on-road costs.

Year-to-date figures reveal an even stronger rebound. Tesla and Polestar have recorded a combined 43,386 deliveries to the end of September, up 76.9 per cent from 24,521 during the same period of 2025.

Tesla has driven that increase, climbing 84.1 per cent to 41,705 vehicles. Model Y deliveries have more than doubled, rising 108.4 per cent to 35,930.

Front view of a white electric car driving toward the camera on a coastal highway with the sea in the background.
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Polestar has moved in the opposite direction, with its year-to-date total down 10 per cent to 1681 vehicles. Its Polestar 4 (above) is up 10 per cent, but Polestar 2 and 3 deliveries have declined.

Growth has also been recorded across every state and territory. The Northern Territory posted the largest percentage increase at 113.3 per cent, followed by Queensland at 88.3 per cent and NSW at 83.5 per cent. Even Western Australia, the slowest-growing market, rose 45.7 per cent.

The EVC figures cover Tesla and Polestar only and should not be interpreted as representing Australia’s entire EV market. Sales are recorded when vehicles are delivered rather than when they are ordered.