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Fuel crisis ‘a missed opportunity’ for Skoda
Jack Mackenzie
2026-08-25
SKODA is happy with its battery electric vehicle sales in Australia but still views the buyer rush towards BEVs caused by fuel price surges in the wake of US-Israeli strikes on Iran as “a missed opportunity” as the Czech brand was unable to secure enough production to fully satisfy the influx of demand.
Speaking with GoAuto at a recent media event in New Zealand, Skoda Australia director Lucie Kuhn said the launch of the Elroq and the facelifted Enyaq had proven to be a success Australia, with the two BEVs making up a combined 29 per cent of the brand’s sales so far this year.
“I think we managed to launch the (Elroq and Enyaq) last year really quite well,” she said.
“We brought to the customers, I would say, good pricing and a very good product when it comes to the design, but also the equipment and the driving feel.”
Skoda’s BEV sales have also been beneficial for the brand’s NVES (New Vehicle Efficiency Standard) position, according to Ms Kuhn.
“It’s actually healthy, and we are currently regarding the NVES position in a very good shape, I would say.”
The Elroq and Enyaq have found just shy of 700 customers between them on Australian shores as of the end of July this year.
However, despite the solid sales performance, Ms Kuhn told Australian media at the event that these sales “could have been more” if Skoda had been able to secure stronger battery electric vehicle supply for Australia during the fuel price spikes and energy security concerns resulting from conflict in the Middle East.
“It is a missed opportunity, certainly, because it’s simply a long, long pipeline,” she told GoAuto.
“We are very, very cautious and very aware about the stocks. Interest rates are currently not great, so let’s say having the right cost discipline is something that matters in the car industry.
“But at that moment, unfortunately, it meant lost opportunities. Many customers expressed very strong interest in having a Skoda Elroq or a Skoda Enyaq. Unfortunately, a part (of that prospective customer base) was not ready to wait, but those who really appreciate the qualities of the car, they keep waiting, and they should get their vehicles in the upcoming weeks or months.”
The second quarter of 2026 saw record sales for BEVs in Australia. According to data from the Australian Automobile Association’s Electric Vehicle Index, 69,414 battery electric vehicles reached Aussie customers, compared to 29,244 during the same quarter last year.
Rising BEV sales come into even sharper focus when considering that 33,410 battery electric vehicles were sold in Australia in the entirety of 2022.
While it remains to be seen if the battery electric vehicle boom proves to be short-lived, industry experts believe that these sales trends are – at least partially – indicative of structural changes in vehicle buyer habits.
In a recent media release, Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) chief executive Tony Weber said the recent buyer habit shift could be indicative of “a permanent structural change”.
“The Australian automotive market has shifted on its axis during the first months of 2026. This year is likely to represent a significant turning point for the Australian automotive industry,” he said.
“Global uncertainty, including conflict in the Middle East and volatility in petrol prices, appears to have sharpened consumer interest in vehicles that reduce exposure to fuel prices.
“While these factors have had a short-term impact, part of the EV growth would appear to be a permanent structural shift.”
Should the increased demand for BEVs be at least somewhat permanent, Skoda is poised to take advantage of market needs, as its electric vehicle range expansion is not over yet.
The Skoda Epiq – slated for arrival in 2027 – will compete in Australia’s small electric SUV segment, likely rivalling the likes of the Hyundai Kona Electric, Kia EV3 and the Volvo EX30.
Meanwhile, the Peaq large electric SUV – due in Australia in either late 2027 or early 2028 – will take up position as Skoda’s flagship model with the Kia EV9 a likely rival.
Further developments throughout Skoda’s BEV portfolio include the incoming arrival of the Elroq RS in March of next year, while orders for the Elroq Sportline – replacing the 130 Years Edition trim level – will open in October of this year.
Currently, the Enyaq is Skoda’s third best-selling model in Australia with 350 examples delivered to customers so far this year as of the end of July.
Meanwhile, the Elroq is the brand’s fourth best-selling vehicle so far in 2026, with 345 examples sold so far this year.