The UK new car market accelerated in September, with registrations up 12.1 percent to 350,518 units. The year-to-date BEV share has reached 26.2 percent, showing strong progress but still below last year’s 28 percent mandate target and the 33 percent required in 2026.
EVs helped power growth, taking a record 58.4 percent of registrations. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uptake dipped -4.2 percent reducing market share to 13.1 percent, but plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations surged 55.7 percent to take a record volume and share at 17.0 percent. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) demand, meanwhile, climbed 36.3 percent to a record high volume of 99,199 units with market share up five percentage points to 28.3 percent. That equates to almost five new BEVs registered every minute – more than double the rate three years ago – as buyers respond to unprecedented model choice, especially in the smaller segments, compelling discounts and government’s Electric Car Grant.
Since 2023, the number of BEV models on the market has more than doubled, with 178 now on sale. Alongside over 110 PHEV and 50 HEV models, the UK’s electrified offering now represents more than three quarters of new cars available. This expanded choice, along with substantial manufacturer discounts and government incentives, delivered September’s landmark result but it also shows the scale of the challenge ahead.
“September’s record EV performance is a major achievement” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive. “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. The industry’s commitment is clear with billions of pounds of investment in new models, new technology and incentives. Despite all these factors, uptake remains behind mandated targets and, whilst flexibilities help, the UK still has the world’s toughest targets and highest energy costs. The Mandate review is an opportunity to review those factors, to build on this momentum and support consumers but, in doing so, strengthen business viability and UK competitiveness.”
454,945 new BEVs have now been registered in the first nine months of the year, accounting for 26.2 percent of registrations, significantly below the 33 percent mandated for 2026 and behind even last year’s target of 28 percent.
Based on the latest industry outlook for a 2.183-million-unit market, a 33 percent share would require an additional 265,000 new BEV registrations in the final quarter alone, illustrating how, despite the range of regulatory flexibilities available, targets continue to outpace demand.
The Mandate review is an opportunity to ensure the transition to EVs supports long-term growth. Aligning regulation more closely with market development would strengthen UK competitiveness, unlock further investment in new models and plants, support jobs and create a robust, sustainable market capable of delivering the decarbonisation the UK needs.
“We’ve been saying for a long time that drivers recognise the economics of going electric and that consumer demand is taking off” added Melanie Lane, CEO at Pod. “Now every month the figures demonstrate that story, with EV registrations up 36 percent on last September’s plate change. It’s no coincidence that this comes as diesel hits £2 a litre for the first time. There’s nothing positive about households and businesses facing those costs, but it makes the case for owning an EV stronger than ever now costs are not only lower, but more predictable and easier to manage. It should also help illustrate to Government that we need to accelerate electrification to help UK consumers, rather than risk slowing it down by watering down the ZEV mandate.”
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