Electric car sales in the UK reached their highest level on record in September, new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal. The data shows that electric and hybrid vehicles are now dominating the market, marking a major shift in Britain’s journey toward greener transport.
Electric and hybrid cars take majority share
Fully electric car sales soared by almost a third to 72,779 units last month. Plug-in hybrids grew even faster, meaning electric and hybrid cars together made up more than half of all new registrations. The SMMT said this growth was driven by rising discounts, a wider choice of models, and the rollout of the government’s new grant scheme.
Businesses and fleets purchased most of the new electric cars, accounting for 71.4% of registrations. However, private demand is accelerating, with more drivers switching from petrol and diesel. Electric cars now represent more than one in five new vehicles registered in 2025.
Industry hails electric progress
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electric vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He added that heavy investment in electric technology was paying off, even though consumer demand still lagged behind the industry’s ambitions. Hawes praised the £3,750 government grant for qualifying models, saying it helped remove one of the biggest financial barriers for buyers.
September delivers record-breaking results
The UK recorded 312,887 new car registrations in September — the best performance for that month since 2020. Despite pandemic restrictions, that year remains the strongest of the decade. The SMMT said the strong showing came despite global challenges, including new US tariffs and a cyberattack that forced Jaguar Land Rover to pause production.
Leading models and new arrivals
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai were the UK’s best-selling cars in September. Two Chinese newcomers — the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U — also entered the top ten. Their success shows how rapidly new brands are gaining ground in Britain’s electric car market.
Government incentives boost confidence
More than 20,000 people have already taken advantage of the government’s electric vehicle grant scheme. It covers models from well-known brands such as Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Discounts apply to cars priced below £37,000, with the most environmentally friendly vehicles receiving the largest reductions. A total of 36 models now qualify for grants of at least £1,500.
Drivers show growing enthusiasm for electric
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 have increased by almost 50% since July, while interest in eligible models has more than doubled.
Plummer said falling prices, stronger incentives, and greater choice were convincing more drivers to switch from petrol and diesel. He added that Britain’s electric transition was gaining momentum far faster than experts had anticipated.
