Electric Vehicles

Model 3 sales in Australia are slaughtering direct fossil fuel competitors

Published by

The Driven

Exact numbers for Tesla Model 3s shipped so far to Australia came to light on Monday, an encouraging indication that the “mass-market” electric sedan is experiencing unprecedented interest in an auto market that has been dubbed a “global laggard” in EV uptake.

According to sources familiar with the matter, a total of 2,414 Tesla Model 3s have arrived in Australia via three cargo ships, starting with the Cap Capricorn in mid-August.

As noted by Giles Parkinson, these numbers are stunning – and particularly so when cast in the light of the entire Australian auto market.

Globally, the Model 3 is driving EV adoption, with latest numbers from electric vehicle database EV-Volumes showing that it is now even giving its internal combustion engine (ICE) competitors – BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz – a run for the money.

In August, figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries – which notably has also been documenting a sustained 17 month decline in petrol and diesel sales – showed that of the Model 3’s competitors, Mercedes-Benz entire sales inventory amounted to 2,380 vehicles.

BMW on the other hand sold a total of 1,860 vehicles in August across its range of offerings, while Audi sold a total of 1,365 vehicles.

As we note, that’s across their entire range. Looking at specific models noted in EV-Volumes figures – the BMW 3 and 4 series, Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4 and A5, the Model 3 is, quite literally, charging ahead.

Only 423 Mercedes C-Class vehicles were sold in August, only 255 BMW 3 and 4 series vehicles were sold (the majority of these were 3s), and only 137 Audi A4s and A5s were sold.

In total, that’s 815 vehicles.

To read the full story on RenewEconomy’s electric vehicle dedicated site, The Driven, click here…

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.

Bridie Schmidt

Bridie Schmidt is lead reporter for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She specialises in writing about new technology, and has a keen interest in the role that zero emissions transport has to play in sustainability.

Share
Published by

Recent Posts

Developer slams “lengthy and unnecessary” legal battle as council drops case against wind project

Legal bid to overturn state approval of a NSW wind project ends with a whimper,…

27 March 2026

Safety by Design: Scaling solar and storage in Australia with prefabricated EBOS

Safety has become one of the most defining priorities for solar and energy storage developers.…

27 March 2026

Australia has already passed gas – the market is just updating its paperwork

The latest gas market outlook is less of a temporary supply-gap reprieve and more the…

27 March 2026

“You cannot put the genie back in the bottle:” Forrest says world energy markets have changed forever

Andrew Forrest says fossil fuels carry volatility, political cost and risks for mums and dads…

27 March 2026

“We had to wait for the grass to grow:” How an Abbott-inspired community solar farm finally got built

Tony Abbott's climate attacks inspired a local community to build a first of its kind…

27 March 2026

Energy Insiders Podcast: The remarkable story of Australia’s first community-owned solar farm

A solar farm inspired by Tony Abbott's climate attacks has finally been opened. Mhairi Fraser…

27 March 2026