Electric car sales in the UK reached record levels in September, new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal. The data shows that electric and hybrid vehicles now dominate new registrations, marking a major milestone in Britain’s transition toward cleaner transport.
Electric and hybrid models drive growth
Fully electric car sales jumped by nearly a third to 72,779 units last month. Plug-in hybrids increased even faster, pushing electric and hybrid vehicles to account for more than half of all new registrations. The SMMT said rising discounts, more model choices, and the government’s grant scheme fueled the surge in demand.
Businesses and fleet buyers accounted for 71.4% of electric car sales. Private ownership is growing quickly, with electric cars now representing over one in five new registrations in 2025.
Industry welcomes strong momentum
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electric vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He added that years of investment in electric technology were paying off, even though overall consumer demand still lagged behind expectations. Hawes highlighted the £3,750 government grant for eligible vehicles as a key measure to remove barriers for drivers switching from petrol and diesel.
September marks record registrations
The UK registered 312,887 new cars in September, the strongest month for that period since 2020. Despite pandemic challenges, 2020 remains the decade’s benchmark. The SMMT said the results came even as the industry faced pressures from US tariffs and a cyberattack that temporarily halted Jaguar Land Rover production.
Top-selling models and emerging competitors
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai led UK sales last month. Two Chinese newcomers, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also entered the top ten, showing how global competition is reshaping the UK electric car market.
Government incentives support adoption
More than 20,000 buyers have benefited from the electric vehicle grant scheme. It applies to models from brands such as Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Cars priced under £37,000 qualify, with the cleanest vehicles receiving the largest reductions. Thirty-six models now qualify for grants of at least £1,500.
Rising demand reflects growing 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 increased by nearly 50% since July, while interest in grant-eligible models more than doubled.
Plummer added that lower prices, wider model choices, and stronger incentives were accelerating the shift from petrol and diesel. He said the surge in demand confirmed that the UK’s transition to electric vehicles is moving faster than expected.
