Affordable electric vehicles from BYD and MG dominated car searches in Australia as motorists looked for cheaper ways to manage rising fuel costs, data from the Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV) showed, Australasian Paint & Panel reported.
EVs occupied all five top positions on the RACV Car Match platform during the five months when fuel-price uncertainty remained high.
The BYD Atto 1, with a drive-away price starting at less than A$28,000, was the most searched vehicle. It was followed by the BYD Atto 2 at A$36,244.
The BYD Sealion 7, priced at A$60,210 drive-away, ranked third, followed by the BYD Dolphin at A$31,611 and MG4 at A$30,777.
The surge in interest comes after RACV data showed searches for EVs jumped 461% in March from February, coinciding with China overtaking Japan as Australia’s largest source of new vehicles.
RACV head of policy James Williams said cost-of-living pressures were increasingly influencing vehicle-buying decisions, with motorists looking for cheaper ways to stay on the road.
Manufacturers such as BYD and MG have gained ground in the Australian market as consumers increasingly focus on price, technology and safety, Williams said.
Separate data from the Australian Automobile Association’s EV Index showed sales of electric and hybrid vehicles doubled in the three months to June 30, marking the largest quarterly increase in Australia’s EV sales.
However, Williams cautioned buyers against focusing only on the upfront price of an electric vehicle. He said consumers should assess charging availability, driving range, driving patterns and safety features before deciding whether an EV would be suitable for their long-term needs.
