Jaecoo J5 EV sales beat petrol, as fuel crisis aftershock sets in

Jaecoo J5 sales in Australia are currently led by the fully-electric version – priced from $36,990 drive-away – but the company says nearly one in two is the petrol version, despite only arriving in showrooms in June.

“We’re still at about 60 per cent J5 BEV; ICE [petrol] is growing, but now it’s at about 40 per cent of J5 sales,” Roy Munoz, Omoda Jaecoo chief commercial officer, told Drive.

“Prior to the fuel crisis, I would've expected it to be more skewed towards the ICE.”

Jaecoo launched its electric J5 in January 2026, and has already become the country's fourth-best-selling electric vehicle.

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Munoz claimed the company has expected its success.

“It's easy to say yes [the sales are a surprise] and no, but in general, no. I think styling, price, features, I believe the team has just nailed it.

“I see that feedback through various forums that, especially when customers are considering us against another brand, it's just the value for money that just could not be overlooked.

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“The dealers that are receiving stock now are already starting to deliver those cars.”

The Jaecoo J5 starts at $25,990 drive-away for the Track petrol variant, making it one of the country's cheapest new cars of any kind.

The electric version starts from $36,990 drive-away in top-specification Summit trim, making it the country's third most-affordable electric SUV behind the new GWM Ora 5 and BYD Atto 2.

“It's almost like there are two crises, right?” said Munoz.

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“You've got the fuel crisis and then the cost of living. Whatever makes more sense to the customer. Do they want to save at the petrol browser? Do they want to save an overall purchase?”

Due imminently is a hybrid J5, available in flagship trim for $34,990 drive-away.

Deliveries for this model are set to begin in August, sharing its hybrid drivetrain with the related Chery Tiggo 4, which pairs a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine developing 105kW/215Nm with a 150kW/310Nm electric motor for 165kW and 295Nm combined.

Orders for the J5 hybrid have opened, as cars begin to roll into dealerships over the coming weeks.