Electric car sales in the UK hit their highest level on record in September, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The surge in electric and hybrid registrations marks a key moment in the nation’s shift toward cleaner transport.
Electric and hybrid cars lead the charge
Sales of fully electric cars climbed by nearly a third to 72,779 units last month. Plug-in hybrid sales rose even faster, pushing combined electric and hybrid registrations to more than half of all new cars sold. The SMMT said discounts, more model choices, and the launch of the government’s new grant scheme helped drive the surge in demand.
Most of the new electric cars were bought by businesses and fleets, accounting for 71.4% of registrations. But private buyers are catching up fast. Electric vehicles now make up more than one in five new cars registered in 2025.
Industry celebrates growing momentum
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said electric vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He added that years of investment in electric technology were paying off, even as consumer demand continued to trail behind expectations. Hawes welcomed the £3,750 government grant for qualifying models, saying it was breaking down one of the biggest barriers for buyers.
Car market records strongest month since 2020
A total of 312,887 new vehicles were registered in September, making it the best-performing month since 2020. Despite pandemic restrictions that year, 2020 still holds the record for the decade. The SMMT said the strong results came even as the UK car industry faced global challenges, including new US tariffs and a cyberattack that temporarily shut down Jaguar Land Rover production.
Established leaders face new competition
The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai led the UK’s sales charts in September. Two Chinese entrants — the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U — also made the top ten, underlining the growing presence of overseas manufacturers in the UK market. The mix of long-established brands and ambitious newcomers reflects how quickly the electric landscape is evolving.
Government grants drive stronger sales
Government figures show more than 20,000 people have already received support through the electric car grant scheme. The programme covers models from major brands such as Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall, and Citroen. It applies to cars priced under £37,000, with the cleanest vehicles qualifying for the biggest reductions. Thirty-six models now receive discounts of at least £1,500.
Buyers show rising interest in electric models
Ian Plummer, chief commercial officer at Autotrader, said the grant scheme 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 added that lower prices, wider availability, and government incentives were encouraging more drivers to leave petrol and diesel behind. He said the surge in interest showed that the UK’s electric transformation was gaining pace faster than predicted.
