Tesla has recorded its strongest month of Australian sales in nearly a year, driven by surging demand for the facelifted Model Y SUV.
Dylan Anderson
Tesla's May Rebound
According to data reported to the Electric Vehicle Council (EVC), Tesla delivered 3897 vehicles across Australia in May 2025. This marks a 9.25% increase over May 2024, ending the EV giant's streak of consecutive year-on-year declines.
This sharp turnaround was fuelled almost entirely by the launch of the updated 'Juniper' Model Y. With 3580 units delivered in May, the mid-size SUV saw a staggering 122.5% increase compared to the same month last year. It’s Tesla’s best result since June 2024 and the Model Y’s strongest since March 2024.
Model 3 Slump Persists
Despite its own update in 2024, the Tesla Model 3 continues to lag in Australia. Only 317 units were delivered in May, representing an 83.8% year-on-year drop. Year-to-date, Model 3 deliveries sit at 2583, a 70.7% decline from the same period last year.
By contrast, Model Y year-to-date deliveries are down 27.4%, with 6974 units registered so far in 2025. Overall, Tesla’s Australian new-car registrations for the first five months of the year total 9557 — a 48.1% drop from the 18,433 units posted in the same period of 2024.
Monthly Delivery Breakdown
| Month | Deliveries |
|---|---|
| January | 739 |
| February | 1592 |
| March | 2829 |
| April | 500 |
| May | 3897 |
Dylan Anderson
EV Council as Sole Data Source
Tesla, along with Polestar, now reports its sales figures exclusively through the Electric Vehicle Council after withdrawing from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) in 2024. As a result, their data is not included in the monthly VFACTS report.
Polestar Gains Momentum
Swedish EV maker Polestar also showed strong growth in May. Total deliveries hit 243 units, up 66% year-on-year. The newly launched Polestar 3 and 4 SUVs contributed to this performance:
- Polestar 4: 133 units in May, 502 YTD
- Polestar 3: 28 units in May, 71 YTD
- Polestar 2: 82 units in May, 261 YTD (down 43.8% YoY)
Year-to-date, Polestar has sold 834 vehicles in Australia, up 40.6% compared to 2024.
Tesla's Outlook
Despite overall sales being down significantly, Tesla appears to be regaining momentum in Australia. The updated Model Y has helped restore interest, suggesting that refreshed styling and improved features continue to resonate with local EV buyers. However, concerns remain over the weak performance of the Model 3, even after its mid-cycle update.
Tesla will likely retain its lead as the top-selling EV brand in Australia for now, but increased competition from BYD, Polestar, and newcomers like Deepal and Xpeng means the road ahead could be more competitive than ever.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
