Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Britain’s EV Sales Jump 44.5%, But Carmakers Are Buying the Growth
Britain’s new-car market recorded its strongest July since 2019, rising 11.7% to 156,571 registrations as electric demand surged.
Battery-electric sales jumped 44.5% to 43,106, securing a record 27.5% July share. Plug-in hybrids climbed 33.6%, while petrol and diesel registrations fell 5.2% and 17.7% respectively. The Renault 5 led electric models with 1,805 sales, while the Ford Puma topped the overall chart with 3,531.
However, the boom remains expensive. The SMMT says broader choice, government incentives and heavy manufacturer discounting are driving demand, potentially weakening residual values, profits, jobs and future investment.
The industry now expects EVs to claim 27.4% of Britain’s 2.18-million-car market in 2026, still well below the government’s 33% mandate target. Private sales rose 12.6%, but fleets continued to dominate with a 59.9% share.
Chinese-backed Jaecoo also underlined the market shift: its 7 SUV ranks third year-to-date, ahead of the Nissan Qashqai in Britain.
Britain’s EV Sales Jump 44.5%, But Carmakers Are Buying the Growth
Britain’s new-car market recorded its strongest July since 2019, rising 11.7% to 156,571 registrations as electric demand surged.
Battery-electric sales jumped 44.5% to 43,106, securing a record 27.5% July share. Plug-in hybrids climbed 33.6%, while petrol and diesel registrations fell 5.2% and 17.7% respectively. The Renault 5 led electric models with 1,805 sales, while the Ford Puma topped the overall chart with 3,531.
However, the boom remains expensive. The SMMT says broader choice, government incentives and heavy manufacturer discounting are driving demand, potentially weakening residual values, profits, jobs and future investment.
The industry now expects EVs to claim 27.4% of Britain’s 2.18-million-car market in 2026, still well below the government’s 33% mandate target. Private sales rose 12.6%, but fleets continued to dominate with a 59.9% share.
Chinese-backed Jaecoo also underlined the market shift: its 7 SUV ranks third year-to-date, ahead of the Nissan Qashqai in Britain.
