True story of Tesla 'car graveyard' as images show shocking scenes
- Photos of a ‘Tesla graveyard’ in Australia have emerged
- It appears to be a reflection of the EV manufacturers’ struggles in the country
- But some experts say this isn’t necessarily a bad thing
Published on Apr 05, 2025 at 8:42 AM (UTC+4)
by Andie Reeves
Last updated on Apr 01, 2025 at 6:56 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
Recently, astounding images of a Tesla car graveyard in Australia emerged.
Judging from the hundreds of unsold vehicles, most assumed this meant a declining demand for EVs in the country.
But experts have shared another, more positive angle.
They say that this suggests Australia is fast becoming a major player in the EV industry, and its residents are set to benefit.
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Australia’s unused Teslas
In Melbourne, Australia, there’s a huge car graveyard full of unsold Teslas gathering dust.
Many said these unused and unwanted Model 3s and Model Ys indicate a general fall in interest in EVs.
China has a similar EV graveyard, however, they’re primarily made up of disused ridesharing vehicles.
And Arizona’s Tesla graveyard just mysteriously emptied out overnight.
Tesla has established a presence in Australia, with some owners buying cheeky license plates to pledge their love for EVs.
When Teslas were first available, they could take months to arrive, whereas now customers can have them in two to three weeks.
The models have also faced major price cuts, with the Model Y being reduced from $69,300 in 2023 to $55,900.
What then could all these abandoned cars reveal?
The truth behind the car graveyard of EVs
Tesla used to be the only EV option in Australia, however, a growing number of competitors have emerged.
They include Chinese company BYD, as well as a predicted 10 more Chinese automakers in the next few months.
According to Peter Thorne, the Tesla Owners Club of Australia national president, the price cuts don’t indicate concern, but rather are strategic.
It’s not the only brand slashing prices, as BYD’s Atto 3 SUV took a price cut of about $2,300 recently too.
So the American brand is simply keeping up with its competition.
Ultimately, electric cars in Australia are increasingly affordable, which will allow Australia to become a key player in the global EV movement.
Andie is a content writer from South Africa with a background in broadcasting and journalism. Starting her career in the glossy pages of Cosmopolitan and Marie Claire, Andie has a broad portfolio, covering everything from sustainability solutions to celebrity car collections. When not at her laptop Andie can be found sewing, recording her podcast, taking board games too seriously or road-tripping in her bright green Kia.
