Almost one in every four new cars registered in the UK during July was fully electric, latest data shows.
New figures from New AutoMotive show that 43,547 BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles) were registered last month – up from 29,226 registrations in July 2025. The performance gave BEVs a 27.4% share of the new car market.
July was the second month in a row that BEV sales outperformed the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate target. Cumulatively, more 336,000 BEVs have been registered so far this year, accounting for around a quarter of all new car sales.
Volkswagen, Kia and Chinese brand BYD led the registrations chart in July. Kia finished the month with its highest-ever BEV mix, with electric cars accounting for 41% of its sales, while Renault posted a record 53% EV share and Suzuki reached 41%.
Electric van registrations, meanwhile, claimed nearly 70% year-on-year to ,260 units, giving BEVs a 15.1% share of the van market. The New AutoMotive data shows that July was the third strongest month on record for electric vans.
Ben Nelmes, Chief Executive of New AutoMotive, said: "It is fantastic to see such good growth in every postcode - in electric car registrations. We can expect celebrations in Downing Street, because electric cars are the single best way to reduce household energy costs.
"Growing numbers of people are seeing electric cars as a way out of the cost of living crisis. Thanks to the UK's Zero Emissions Vehicle mandate, there are more models to choose from, at competitive prices, making electric cars a realistic option for millions of motorists.
"This progress is not guaranteed, and if Ministers meddle with this policy it will be households who pay the price."
Tanya Sinclair, chief executive of Electric Vehicles UK, added that the figures demonstrated the benefits of consistent government policy.
She said: "These are exactly the sales figures we benefit from when there is steady, consistent policy. Manufacturers bring more electric models to market, consumers respond by buying. And once again the industry is outperforming the trajectory required by the ZEV Mandate."
July new car registrations data from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders will be released tomorrow (Aug 5).
