More than 1.2 million new cars were sold in Australia throughout 2023, with almost 110,000 of these being hybrid or plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles.
Last year was a record one for both hybrids and PHEVs, as the 98,439 hybrids bettered the previous year’s record by 20 per cent when 81,816 were sold.
While PHEVs are still the second-least popular drivetrain – sitting only above hydrogen vehicles – the 11,212 plug-in petrol-hybrid cars sold represented growth of almost 89 per cent on the year prior, behind only the growth rate of the electric vehicle segment (up 161 per cent).
Australian hybrid sales in 2023
Overall market leader Toyota continued its sales dominance in the electrified vehicle sales charts, led by its ever-popular RAV4 SUV, Corolla hatchback and sedan, and Camry sedan.
In total, Toyota’s hybrids accounted for 72,084 sales – a staggering 73 per cent of total hybrid sales, and 5.9 per cent of total new car sales in 2023.
After Toyota models locked out the top six spots, GWM finished the year in seventh and ninth place, courtesy of the Haval H6 hybrid and Jolion hybrids – which were split by the Lexus NX.
Rounding out the top ten in sales was the Toyota C-HR hybrid, edging out the Lexus RX350h and RX500h.
The Nissan X-Trail e-Power, which differs from Toyota’s hybrids in using its petrol engine as a generator to charge a battery that powers the electric motors, was the 12th best-selling hybrid.
Australian plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales in 2023
The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV held the top spot in plug-in sales in 2023, followed closely by the MG HS Plus EV.
The Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross was Australia’s third best-selling PHEV, narrowly ahead of the Mazda CX-60.
Another surprising result was the Kia Sorento PHEV, which outsold its traditional Sorento hybrid sibling by 152 examples.
Sales of hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles are expected to grow this year, with more than a dozen models due to arrive in Australian showrooms throughout 2024.
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