In a major turning point in Melbourne’s automotive world, hybrid car sales have soared in 2024, with Toyota at the top. In fact, they’ve managed to grab over two-thirds of the hybrid marketplace, even as numerous brands introduce electrified options to meet skyrocketing consumer demand for lean vehicles.

This is part of a wider national trend towards shifting towards environmentally friendly modes of transporting, as Australians become more aware of their carbon footprints. In Melbourne, in particular, with stop-start traffic and rising fuel costs, the surge in hybrid sales has been unsurprised in urban areas.

The key to Toyota’s hybrid market dominance has been its long standing reputation for reliability, and it has a wide range of hybrid models ranging from the very popular RAV4 to such as Corolla Cross and Kluger. As Melbourne drivers who want a fine balance between performance and fuel economy, these vehicles have resonated well.

Still, other manufacturers have felt no hesitation about entering the hybrid arena. Newcomer BYD have been bucking the trend and have been making inroads and they have jump in there with their own hybrid and plug in hybrid offerings. Specifically, the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and Eclipse Cross PHEV have been popular among Melbourne motorists taking advantage of electric vehicle mode for the short trips while continuing to run on petrol for longer journeys.

Hybrid sales have risen as fully electric vehicle (EV) sales have flatlined or threatened to in Melbourne and across Australia. Experts in the industry say this is a byproduct of the factors, including range anxiety, the lack of charging infrastructure and higher up front costs for EVs. On the other hand, hybrids provide a more familiar and accessible way for many consumers to get into electrified motoring than a true electric car might.

And local dealerships in Melbourne are reporting that inquiries into hybrid models are up, and that waiting lists are fast becoming standard for popular models. The increased demand has put some pressure on the supply chain, with manufacturers busting to meet the growing appetite for hybrid technology.

It’s also noticeable that there’s a shift towards hybrids in Melbourne’s urban environment. As more and more hybrid vehicles hit the streets, air quality has improved slightly but not much in high traffic areas. Local government initiatives to encourage car users to adopt low emission vehicles have further sped up this trend, some councils are offering incentives including preferential parking for hybrid and electric vehicles.

With Melbourne’s car buyers decamping increasingly towards hybrid technology as a transition to full electrification, the automotive landscape is rapidly evolving. This will be a critical transition for the city on its journey to meet ambitious emission reduction targets in the next few years.