EV industry leaders have welcomed the latest car registration figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which show battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reaching a 30% share of the UK new car market in June, the highest monthly share so far this year
The figures reveal the overall new car market rose 11.4% in June to 213,266 units, the best performance for the month since 2019, with growth recorded across private, fleet, and business channels. Over half of all new cars registered in June were electrified, with plug-in hybrids accounting for 12.5% and hybrids 14%, alongside BEV performance.
While SMMT has used the figures to renew its call for reform of the mandate, citing the cost of compliance and the £12 billion in manufacturer discounts deployed to drive uptake, industry leaders working in charging infrastructure, vehicle retail, and EV advocacy point to the headline number, one in three new cars now fully electric, as evidence that the transition has moved into the mainstream.
Adam Wood, managing director of Renault, which has recorded a 37% share of EV sales this year off the back of successful launches of the Renault 4 and Renault 5, said, “The recent oil price crisis has added significant further impetus to the EV market, underlining one of the key benefits of making the switch: affordability. We are at a tipping point, where stylish, practical and capable EVs are available at appealing prices, and with fuel cost savings that we estimate to be £650 a year on average, buyers can now make the switch with their head and heart.”
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said, “Just a decade ago, less than 1% of new car buyers were choosing electric – now it’s nearly a third. That shows how far and how fast the market has moved. EVs have gone mainstream because the case is clear: many new models are now at price parity with petrol cars, while second-hand EVs are often even cheaper. With lower running costs, cheaper charging and tax savings, for more drivers the maths simply stacks up.”
Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of Electrifying.com, said, “These figures show a car market that may finally be regaining the momentum it enjoyed before the pandemic, with EVs leading the charge. Buyers are making sensible, practical decisions – choosing electric because they’re cheaper to run, better to drive and protect them from volatile fuel prices. That’s good news not just for consumers, but for dealers too. Electric cars are no longer the alternative, but are becoming the mainstream choice.”
Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt, said, “30% market share doesn’t happen without confidence in the charging network behind it. Every month that coverage, reliability and utilisation data improves, driver hesitation drops with it. We’re seeing that translate directly into registrations. The network is doing its job. Consumers are driving demand as they switch to EVs, which are loaded with tech, better to drive, and save drivers money. Honestly, there’s never been a better time to make the switch; car manufacturers, take note!”
Tanya Sinclair, CEO, Electric Vehicles UK, said, “Almost one in three new cars sold last month were fully electric. We’ve hit the mainstream. The infrastructure is scaling, the choice of models is widening in every segment, and the cost of running these cars is lower. For drivers, that means lower bills, fewer forecourt visits, and a smoother, quieter drive. Government just needs to align itself with the British motorist’s direction of travel, not certain carmakers’ lack of ambition, towards an electric future.”
