Sales of electric cars in the UK reached a record high in September, according to new industry data. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a strong rise in electric and hybrid vehicle registrations.
Electric cars drive the market forward
Sales of fully electric vehicles grew by nearly a third to 72,779 in September. Plug-in hybrid models increased even faster, pushing the total share of electric and hybrid cars to over half of all new registrations. The SMMT said discounts, more model choices, and the government’s new grant scheme had encouraged more buyers to go electric.
Most electric cars sold last month went to businesses or fleets, making up 71.4% of the total. However, the number of private buyers has also risen sharply this year. Electric cars now account for more than one in five new vehicles registered in 2025.
Industry leaders see progress despite challenges
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electrified vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer”. He added that investments in electric production were paying off, even though consumer demand still lagged behind industry goals. Hawes welcomed the government’s grant scheme, which offers a £3,750 discount on eligible models. He said it would help remove one of the biggest obstacles to adoption.
A strong month for the car market
Overall, 312,887 new vehicles were registered in September. It was the best-performing September since 2020, which still holds the decade’s record despite pandemic restrictions. The strong performance came as the UK industry dealt with US tariffs and a major cyberattack that forced Jaguar Land Rover to pause production.
Top-selling models and growing competition
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai topped sales charts last month. Two Chinese models, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also broke into the top ten. The mix of established and new players shows how quickly competition in the electric car market is expanding.
Government support boosts interest
The government said more than 20,000 people had already benefited from EV grants. The scheme covers models from popular brands such as Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. Discounts apply to new models priced up to £37,000, with the cleanest vehicles getting the biggest cuts. A total of 36 models now qualify for reductions of at least £1,500.
Grant scheme sparks surge in enquiries
Ian Plummer, chief commercial officer at Autotrader, said the grants had given the market a major lift. “Since July, enquiries for new electric vehicles on Autotrader are up by almost 50%,” he said. “For models eligible for the grant, interest has more than doubled.”
Plummer said the trend showed clear signs of growing confidence in electric vehicles as prices fall and incentives increase. He added that more choice and better affordability were helping drivers make the switch from petrol and diesel faster than expected.
