Electric car sales in the UK reached a record high in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The figures show electric and hybrid vehicles now dominate new registrations, highlighting the country’s growing commitment to cleaner transport.
Electric and hybrid vehicles drive market growth
Fully electric car sales jumped by nearly a third to 72,779 last month. Plug-in hybrids rose even faster, pushing electric and hybrid models to account for more than half of all new car registrations. The SMMT said attractive discounts, a wider selection of models, and the government’s new grant scheme contributed to the surge.
Businesses and fleets bought the majority of these cars, making up 71.4% of registrations. Private sales are rising too, with electric cars now representing more than one in five new vehicles registered in 2025.
Industry hails strong momentum
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electric vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He added that investment in electric technology was paying off, even though overall demand still lagged behind industry ambitions. Hawes highlighted the £3,750 government grant for qualifying vehicles as a key factor in removing barriers for drivers switching from petrol and diesel.
September achieves record registrations
The UK recorded 312,887 new cars in September, the strongest September performance since 2020. Despite pandemic challenges that year, 2020 remains the decade’s benchmark. The SMMT said the results came even as the industry faced US tariffs and a cyberattack that temporarily halted Jaguar Land Rover production.
Best-selling models and new entrants
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai led UK sales last month. Two Chinese newcomers, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also broke into the top ten, showing how international competition is reshaping the electric car market.
Government grants support electric adoption
More than 20,000 people have already benefited from the government’s electric vehicle grant scheme. The programme covers models from Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Discounts apply to cars priced under £37,000, with the cleanest models receiving the largest reductions. Thirty-six vehicles now qualify for grants of at least £1,500.
Growing interest signals electric confidence
Autotrader’s chief commercial officer, Ian Plummer, said the grant scheme had given the market “a real lift.” Enquiries for new electric cars have risen by almost 50% since July, while interest in grant-eligible models has more than doubled.
Plummer added that lower prices, wider model availability, and stronger incentives were driving a faster shift away from petrol and diesel. He said the surge in demand showed the UK’s electric transition was accelerating faster than industry experts expected.
