Electric vehicles reached a new high in the U.K. in September, claiming a record share of the new-car market and offering another sign that cleaner transportation is going mainstream.
Battery EVs alone accounted for 28.3% of new registrations, while petrol-powered cars lost ground.
Here's what to know
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders' preliminary figures indicated the U.K. recorded 350,518 new-car registrations in September, representing a 12.1% increase from a year earlier and the strongest September showing since 2017.
Nearly 100,000 battery electric vehicles were registered during the month, with BEV volume rising 36.3% to 99,199. Plug-in hybrids grew even faster, climbing 55.7% to 59,563 and reaching a record 17% market share, the group said.
SMMT noted a record 58.4% of September registrations came from electrified vehicles, a category that includes battery EVs, plug-in hybrids, and hybrids. At the same time, petrol registrations dropped 6.7% to 131,861, while diesel registrations increased 11.5% to 14,057.
"September's record EV performance is a major achievement," Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said. "Drivers are increasingly embracing the growing choice of models made available and high fuel prices are also undoubtedly giving more consumers reason to consider going electric."
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More background
September is an especially important month for the U.K. auto market because it is one of two times each year when new registration plates are introduced. The group said the month typically accounts for about one in seven annual registrations.
The best-selling vehicle in September was the Jaecoo 7, a model from Chinese brand Jaecoo, nicknamed the "Temu Range Rover," followed by the Tesla Model 3 and the Ford Puma, according to Business Matters.
The September figures also extended the market's growth streak to 10 straight months, the SMMT said. The trade group pointed to competition, the arrival of new brands, and broader discounting that helped convince some shoppers to buy new.
The SMMT noted that U.K. buyers have 178 battery electric models to choose from, which is more than double the number available in 2023. Including more than 110 plug-in hybrid models and 50 hybrid models, electrified vehicles make up more than three-quarters of all new models on the market.
Automakers are continuing to invest heavily in the transition. Hawes said the industry's commitment includes "billions of pounds of investment in new models, new technology and incentives."
What's being done?
The Department for Transport opened its consultation on the zero-emission vehicle mandate on Aug. 14, and the deadline is Oct. 23, Business Matters noted. The possibilities being weighed include keeping the 2030 headline target at 80% of sales, cutting it to 70%, 60%, or 50%, or maintaining that goal while extending compliance flexibilities to 2034.
Even with September's record results, EV adoption remains below official goals, SMMT said. The U.K. registered 454,945 new battery electric cars through September 2026, equal to 26.2% of all registrations, below the 33% share required in 2026 and below the 2025 target of 28%.
Based on the SMMT's forecast of 2.183 million car sales in 2026, the U.K. would need about 265,000 more battery electric registrations in the final quarter of 2026 to hit that 33% mark.
Where can I learn more?
EV adoption is gaining ground, and real ownership costs and external factors often shape the choice to go electric for individual drivers and businesses.
• In Australia, EV demand is being shaped by subsidies, fleets, and tougher rules.
• Many owners say driving electric is so cheap that going back makes little sense.
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