Electric vehicle sales in the UK reached a record high in September, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) jumping nearly 30% to 72,779 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Plug-in hybrid sales also surged, pushing total electric and hybrid registrations to more than half of all new cars sold last month.
The growth comes as carmakers offer discounts, expand model ranges, and benefit from the government’s £3,750 EV grant scheme. While most new BEVs were bought by businesses and fleets, private ownership has also risen — with zero-emission cars now making up 22.1% of total registrations in 2025.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the strong performance shows “electrified vehicles are powering market growth” after a slow summer. The government says over 20,000 buyers have already benefited from the new grants, covering models from major automakers such as Ford, Toyota, and Citroën.
