Electric car sales in the UK reached an all-time high in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The data shows that electric and hybrid vehicles now dominate new registrations, marking a major step in the nation’s move toward low-emission transport.
Electric and hybrid vehicles dominate sales
Fully electric car sales jumped by nearly a third to 72,779 units last month. Plug-in hybrid sales grew even faster, bringing electric and hybrid models together to account for over half of all new registrations. The SMMT said rising discounts, more model choices, and the government’s grant scheme helped drive the surge.
Businesses and fleet operators purchased most of the electric cars, making up 71.4% of registrations. Private ownership is also growing, with electric vehicles now representing more than one in five new registrations in 2025.
Industry celebrates growing 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 lags behind expectations. Hawes highlighted the £3,750 government grant for qualifying vehicles as a key measure to remove barriers for drivers switching from petrol and diesel.
September delivers strongest registrations since 2020
The UK recorded 312,887 new car registrations in September, its strongest September performance since 2020. Despite the pandemic, 2020 remains the decade’s benchmark. The SMMT said the strong results came as the industry faced challenges from US tariffs and a cyberattack that temporarily halted Jaguar Land Rover production.
Top-selling models and new competitors
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai led UK sales last month. Two Chinese entrants, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also made the top ten, showing how international 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 covers models from brands such as Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Cars priced below £37,000 qualify for discounts, with the cleanest vehicles receiving the largest reductions. Thirty-six models now receive grants of at least £1,500.
Rising demand signals consumer 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, while interest in grant-eligible models more than doubled.
Plummer added that lower prices, wider model choices, and stronger incentives were accelerating the shift away from petrol and diesel. He said the surge in demand confirmed that the UK’s transition to electric vehicles was gathering pace faster than expected.
