UK EV registrations edge up in January but lose market share
Across all drive types, registrations in the UK rose 3.4% year-on-year to 144,127 units in January, according to new data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). That represents the strongest January performance since before the pandemic in 2020. However, not all drive types saw such growth.
Battery-electric vehicle registrations increased only marginally by 0.1% to 29,654 units. That means BEVs accounted for just 20.6% of the total market, marking the lowest monthly share since April 2025. The SMMT attributed the softer share partly to a strong January 2025 comparison, when demand was brought forward ahead of new tax measures introduced in April last year, as well as to elevated BEV registrations towards the end of 2025 as manufacturers sought to meet regulatory targets.
At the same time, plug-in hybrids again recorded the strongest growth among electrified powertrains, with registrations rising 47.3% year-on-year to secure a 12.9% market share. Hybrid electric vehicles also grew, up 4.8% and representing 13.4% of the market.
Looking ahead, the SMMT’s updated market outlook forecasts new car registrations to grow by 1.4% in 2026 to reach 2.048 million units, an upward revision compared with projections published in October. Battery-electric vehicles are now expected to account for 28.5% of registrations over the full year, supported by wider model availability, improving driving range and the reintroduction of government support through the Electric Car Grant.
Nevertheless, the country’s EV share would remain below the 33% market share mandated for 2026. Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, remains cautiously positive.
“Britain’s new car market is building back momentum after a challenging start to the decade. It is also decarbonising more rapidly than ever and, despite a January dip in EV market share, the signs point to growth by the end of the year,” he said, adding: “The pace of the transition, however, may be slowing and is certainly behind mandated targets.”
Update 9 February 2026
Demand for battery-electric vans in the UK rose sharply in January, even as the overall light commercial vehicle market weakened. According to new data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, registrations of electric vans increased by 26 per cent year on year to 1,844 units, giving the segment a 10.4 per cent share of the market.
Despite the growth, electric van uptake remains significantly below the government-mandated target of 24 per cent for 2026. The SMMT said demand would need to more than double within the next year to meet that requirement, a challenge compounded by a contracting overall market and weak business confidence. Total light commercial vehicle registrations fell by 7.8 per cent in January to 17,562 units, marking the weakest start to a year since 2012.
The industry outlook for 2026 has been revised downwards, with total van registrations now expected to reach 321,000 units. While electric van volumes are still forecast to grow by more than 50 per cent this year, their projected market share has been reduced to 13.1 per cent, down from earlier expectations.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Rising EV uptake is encouraging but delivering the UK’s world-leading ambition is coming at huge cost to industry amid overall market contraction. With an even steeper 2026 target that is further still from real-world demand, government’s review of the transition must come urgently, recognising additional action is needed to deliver on ambition.”
smmt.co.uk, smmt.co.uk (vans)
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