EV segment continues to grow in the UK
A total of 473,348 battery-electric passenger cars were newly registered in the United Kingdom in 2025, 23.9 per cent more than in 2024. The share of BEVs in new passenger car registrations rose from 19.6 per cent in 2024 to 23.4 per cent in 2025.
The year 2025’s passenger car sales were completely dominated by the fleet segment, however, meaning comparatively few personal cars were purchased. Specifically, this breaks down to 90,607 fleet sales, 4,230 business sales and a total of 51,412 registrations in the private car segment. As SMMT notes, this means that “last year’s market rose by 3.5%, with growth across all buyer types.” The model availability also stands at an all-time high of 160, up from just over 130 at the start of 2025, with at least 60 more due in 2026.
The total new car registrations in the UK hit 2.02 million in 2025, with the market up 3.5% year on year compared to 2024. While combustion engine-based vehicles still marked the majority of these registrations, the segment is only holding by a hair, with a total of 51.5%.
SMMT’s Chief Executive Mike Hawes had positive remarks regarding the new records, however, he remains cautious about the future: “The new car market finally reaching two million registrations for the first time this decade is a reasonably solid result amid tough economic and geopolitical headwinds. Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high.”
He further added that political support remains crucial: “Government has stepped in with the Electric Car Grant, but a new EV tax, additional charges for EV drivers in London and costly public charging send mixed signals. Given developments abroad, government should bring forward its review and act urgently to deliver a vibrant market, a sustainable industry and an investment proposition that keeps the UK at the forefront of global competition.”
In addition, a total of 30,169 new light electric commercial vehicles were registered in the United Kingdom in 2025. This represents an increase of 36.2 per cent compared to 2024 and a new annual record. This is particularly notable, considering that the overall van market in the UK dropped by -10.3% for a total of 315,422 van registrations in 2025.
The model rankings were entirely dominated by Ford, which took the top three spots, followed by Mercedes and Vauxhall.
Mike Hawes commented on the van uptake: “2025’s new van market reflects a tough economic environment, which constrained fleet investment. While rising EV uptake is encouraging, it has come at a huge cost to industry and remains significantly adrift of ambition.”
smmt.co.uk (cars), smmt.co.uk (vans)
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