Kia Australia CEO calls EV sales surge structural as brand hits 40 per cent electric share

Kia Australia reports a 40 per cent all-electric, 30 per cent hybrid and 30 per cent petrol split, driven by the EV3 and EV5 SUVs, as March 2026 saw nearly 16,000 EV sales, almost double the prior year. CEO Damien Meredith told CarsGuide the shift since mid-March may be structural, forecasting a sustained 30 to 40 per cent EV share even after fuel prices ease. Sister brand Hyundai reported a 158 per cent supply increase in Q2 2026, while Chery's electrified sales reached around 70 per cent of its mix.

Why it matters: A major OEM declaring the Australian market permanently changed signals accelerated fleet and infrastructure demand, even as upfront EV costs remain higher than petrol. Procurement teams should plan for sustained 30 to 40 per cent EV penetration, requiring proportional charging capacity at dealerships, depots and public sites.