The UK’s appetite for electric cars continues to grow, with 21,403 battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) registered in August – a rise of 10.3% year-on-year. According to the latest figures from New AutoMotive, EVs accounted for 27% of the total market, edging ever closer to hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), which notched up 23,453 sales during the same period. In contrast, demand for pure petrol cars continues to fall, tumbling 31% year-on-year.
Despite the overall growth, the EV leaderboard tells a more complex story. Tesla remained at the top with 3,203 registrations, but its market share has slipped to 15% – even after aggressive price cuts. Volkswagen and Ford rounded out the top three, with Ford’s rise particularly dramatic: sales jumped from just 556 EVs in August 2024 to 1,410 this year, thanks to strong demand for the new Puma Gen-E.
Chinese brands remain on the sidelines for now. BYD ranked ninth with 946 registrations, the best result for a Chinese manufacturer but still modest compared to the established players. MG, once the UK’s EV value champion, managed just 646 sales – a 38% year-on-year drop, despite expanding its line-up to include the new MGS5 EV.
Other brands saw a better month. MINI surged by 157% to 766 cars, while Polestar rose 94% to 734 units. Renault, however, underperformed despite its new R4 and R5 models, with registrations up only 25% to 646 cars. Volvo (-45%) and Peugeot (-41%) were among August’s biggest losers, while Citroën, despite being one of the first to offer Electric Car Grant-eligible models, failed to break into the top 20. Even Dacia’s bargain-priced Spring is struggling, with just 352 units shifted.
Looking at the year so far, Tesla leads with 28,163 cars, but its rivals are gaining ground. Volkswagen registrations have more than doubled (+122%) to 22,198, while BMW is also narrowing the gap. Škoda’s success with the Enyaq and new Elroq has been a standout story, with sales up 132% to 14,074, putting the brand on course to overtake Kia. By contrast, MG (-26%) and Volvo (-32%) are struggling, with MG pinning hopes on its incoming IM models.
On the regulatory side, the updated ZEV mandate, which allows manufacturers to transfer certificates from non-EVs, means most brands are on track to meet targets. But Ford remains significantly behind its revised quota of 13.82% EV sales, and Renault is also under pressure to meet its 10.81% target.
September will be a key month for EV registrations with the ‘double-whammy’ of a registration plate change and the first notable effects of the Government’s Electric Car Grant kicking in. With some brands still awaiting official approval, many buyers are holding off for a broader range of offerings before committing to a purchase.
