EV Sales Bloom

The Northern Territory reached a five year high, with 10,267 new vehicles sold in 2023.

“Not since 2017 have we seen such strong performance in the automotive retail sector,” Motor Trade Association CEO Darrell Jacobs said.

“Northern Territory new vehicle sales increased by 4.2 per cent when compared to 2022.” he said.

Electric vehicle sales similarly made their mark in 2023, continuing their year-on-year growth.

“While the Northern Territory has been slower in the uptake of electric vehicles, we saw a year-onyear increase of 315 per cent” he said.

Of all new car sales in the Northern Territory in 2023, full battery electric vehicles made up 2.8 per cent, traditional hybrids 8.6 per cent and plug in hybrids 0.4 per cent.

“While we know that Territorians love their utes and 4X4s, the transition to zero and low emission vehicles is well underway,” he said.

MTA comment

Motor Trade Association CEO Darrell Jacobs cautioned, “Vehicle affordability, charging and road infrastructure, and an appropriately skilled workforce remain top priorities if ambitions for the decarbonisation of transport are to be realised.”

The sales update comes ahead of the announcement of the Federal Government’s proposed fuel efficiency standard.

“The MTA urges governments to favour the carrot over the stick as we transition to zero and low emission vehicles.” he said.

“With the Federal Government’s proposed fuel efficiency standard looming large, we don’t want to see ordinary Territorians punished if they cannot afford an electric vehicle.”

THE NT’S 2023 SALES

• Full battery electric vehicles: 2.8 % of new vehicles sold

• Traditional hybrids: 8.6% of new vehicles sold

• Plug-in hybrids: of new vehicles: 0.4% of new vehicles sold

Top 5 selling new cars in the NT in 2023:

1 Toyota Hilux 4x4: 1,100

2 Toyota Prado: 593

3 Ford Ranger 4x4: 479

4 Toyota Hilux 2x4: 356

5 Toyota RAV4: 333