More than one in every four new cars registered in the UK during July was fully electric, according to the latest car industry data.

Figures from research group New Automotive show 43,547 EVs were registered last month – up from 29,226 registrations in July 2025. That 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 than 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%. However, according to SMMT, the best-selling electric models in July were the Renault 5, Kia EV3 and Jaecoo E5.  

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.

New Automotive boss Ben Nelmes, 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 emission 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. "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."