By Bradley Shahenza
Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the United Kingdom reached a record high in September, according to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Sales of pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) surged by nearly a third to 72,779 units, while plug-in hybrid vehicles recorded even faster growth. Together, electric and hybrid cars accounted for more than half of all new car registrations last month.
The SMMT attributed the surge to attractive carmaker discounts, a wider selection of models, and the reintroduction of the government’s electric car grant scheme. The scheme offers a £3,750 discount on eligible vehicles to encourage drivers to switch from petrol and diesel engines.
Although businesses and fleet operators accounted for 71.4% of BEV purchases, private ownership of electric cars has also increased significantly. So far in 2025, zero-emission vehicles make up over one in five (22.1%) of all new cars registered across the country.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes described the September results as evidence that electrified vehicles are “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He noted that industry investment in EV technology is “paying off,” though he acknowledged that consumer demand still lags behind government and industry ambitions.
In total, 312,887 new vehicles were registered in September the highest figure since 2020. The strong performance comes despite ongoing challenges in the automotive sector, including U.S. tariffs and Jaguar Land Rover’s temporary production halt following a major cyberattack.
Top-selling models for the month included the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai. Notably, two Chinese vehicles — the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U also ranked among the top 10 sellers, reflecting the growing influence of Chinese EV manufacturers in the UK market.
source ; BBC news
