Amid rising fuel costs, statistics show that Aussies are now looking for a solution in the EV market

Rising fuel costs are behind a major shift in the Australian automotive industry.

There has been a clear change in consumer preferences, with more and more Aussies opting for electric vehicles, according to the Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA).

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As the conflict in the Middle East escalated in March, Australians purchased a total of 15,839 battery-electric vehicles — a record number according to the AADA.

That number marks a 42 per cent increase compared to February 2026, and a 92 per cent increase compared to March last year.

Plug-in hybrid vehicles jumped to 8215 total units sold, resulting in a 40 per cent increase compared to both the month prior and March 2025.

Together, battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles made up 19 per cent of all new vehicle sales so far this year.

CUPRA has been in the EV market here in Australia since 2022, and the brand's Head of Product Jeff Shafer told nine.com.au that fuel costs aside, the rising interest in electric vehicles has remained a consistent trend.

"It's obviously accelerated a bit in the last few weeks or a couple of months with the fuel prices, but underlying that is a much longer-term trend towards electrification," he says.

He said that with advances in technology, battery costs are coming down, and there's also been a reduction in charging times.

"I think equally as important is that people are becoming more familiar with EVs," Shafer said.

"Not that long ago, maybe five years ago, seeing an EV on the road was a little bit uncommon, whereas now they're everyday encounters.

"And I think the more people are exposed to EVs, to understand how they operate, and [become] familiar with them, that gives [people] confidence to understand how an EV can fit into their daily lifestyle."

With plenty of competition in the EV space, Shafer says that what sets CUPRA apart from the rest is the brand's access to advanced technology and focus on design.

"CUPRA is part of the larger Volkswagen Group, and that gives us access to some great technology and some really exciting underpinnings in terms of the EV platforms that we can bring in," he explains.

"But more than that, CUPRA has a really clear vision of the future of electrified motoring, and that's really that the joy of driving can be brought forward into the electric age.

"So that we're still designing the car around the driver, the driving experience, and we want a car that's going to stimulate your emotions when you're driving it."

Shafer said design was "at the core" of what the brand does, with a focus on creating vehicles with a "bold and provocative" look.

"I think compared to some other brands that are taking a more technological and kind of a fairly generic approach, let's say, I think that makes CUPRA EVs stand out."

On June 18, CUPRA will be hosting a major launch event to introduce the brand new Formentor range to the Australian market. Nine.com.au is the media partner for that launch.

The event will be catered by celebrity chef Miguel Maestre and headlined by internationally renowned artists, Anna Lunoe and Memphis LK. Tickets are available for purchase here.

This article was produced in association with CUPRA as part of a nine.com.au partnership.