Electric car sales in the UK hit a record high in September, new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show. The data highlights how electric and hybrid vehicles are now leading the market, marking a turning point in the nation’s shift toward greener mobility.
Electric and hybrid cars dominate new registrations
Fully electric car sales jumped nearly a third to 72,779 last month. Plug-in hybrids climbed even faster, pushing electric and hybrid models to account for more than half of all new car registrations. The SMMT said a mix of lower prices, a wider range of models, and the government’s grant scheme had driven this momentum.
While businesses and fleets made up most of the sales at 71.4%, private ownership of electric vehicles continues to grow. So far in 2025, zero-emission cars represent more than one in five new registrations, showing stronger consumer confidence in electric driving.
Industry leaders praise the shift
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electric vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He noted that the industry’s years of investment were now delivering real results. Hawes also said the £3,750 government grant for qualifying cars would help “break down one of the barriers” stopping drivers from making the switch.
Strongest September since 2020
A total of 312,887 new cars were registered in September — the best performance for that month since 2020. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, that year remains the strongest of the decade. The SMMT said the record came despite external pressures, including US tariffs and a cyberattack that temporarily halted Jaguar Land Rover’s production.
New players join familiar names
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai led UK sales in September. But two Chinese newcomers, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also entered the top ten. Their success shows how international competition is reshaping the UK’s growing electric vehicle market.
Government grants boost electric growth
The government reported that more than 20,000 people have already taken advantage of the electric car grant scheme. It applies to models from popular brands such as Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Cars priced below £37,000 qualify for discounts, with the cleanest models earning the biggest reductions. In total, 36 vehicles now receive grants of at least £1,500.
Consumer interest continues to rise
Autotrader’s chief commercial officer, Ian Plummer, said the grant scheme had given the electric market “a real lift.” He said enquiries for new electric vehicles had increased by almost 50% since July. For models eligible for the grant, interest had more than doubled.
Plummer added that competitive pricing, a wider selection of models, and stronger incentives were speeding up the transition away from petrol and diesel. He said the surge in demand showed that Britain’s electric future was now arriving faster than anyone expected.
