Electric car sales in the UK soared to new heights in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The data shows electric and hybrid vehicles now dominate new registrations, marking a key milestone in Britain’s transition to cleaner transport.
Electric and hybrid vehicles drive growth
Fully electric car sales rose by nearly a third to 72,779 units last month. Plug-in hybrid models grew even faster, pushing combined electric and hybrid registrations to more than half of all new cars sold. The SMMT said rising discounts, a broader range of models, and the government’s grant scheme fueled the surge in demand.
Businesses and fleets accounted for 71.4% of sales, but private ownership is also growing. Electric cars now make up more than one in five new registrations in 2025, reflecting rising consumer confidence.
Industry leaders welcome momentum
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electric vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He noted that investment in electric technology was paying off, even though consumer demand still lags behind industry ambitions. Hawes said the £3,750 government grant for qualifying vehicles is helping break down one of the biggest barriers for drivers switching from petrol and diesel.
September records strongest performance since 2020
A total of 312,887 new vehicles were registered in September, the highest figure for that month since 2020. Despite the pandemic, 2020 remains the decade’s benchmark. The SMMT said this strong performance came even as the industry faced challenges, including US tariffs and a cyberattack that temporarily halted Jaguar Land Rover production.
Best-sellers and new competitors
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai topped UK sales last month. Two Chinese entrants, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also broke into the top ten, showing the growing influence of international brands in the UK electric car market.
Government incentives boost adoption
More than 20,000 buyers have benefited from the electric vehicle grant scheme. It covers models from Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Cars priced below £37,000 qualify, with the cleanest vehicles receiving the largest reductions. Thirty-six models now receive grants of at least £1,500.
Rising interest highlights public confidence
Autotrader’s chief commercial officer, Ian Plummer, said the grant scheme had given the market “a real lift.” He reported that enquiries for new electric vehicles rose by nearly 50% since July, and interest in grant-eligible models more than doubled.
Plummer added that lower prices, wider model availability, and stronger incentives were speeding up the shift from petrol and diesel. He said the surge in demand showed that the UK’s electric transition is gathering momentum faster than expected.
