A record 99,199 electric vehicles hit the road in September, marking a monumental shift in consumer behavior that saw EVs claim 28.3% of the total market share. While traditional petrol engines maintained a 37.6% share, the combined dominance of EVs and plug-in hybrids accounted for a 45% slice of all new registrations, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This spike in electric adoption is driven by an expanding variety of available models and the pressure of persistent fuel prices, prompting more private buyers to transition away from combustion engines. With private registrations jumping by 13.9% and fleet purchases rising by 9.6%, the surge represents the strongest September performance for the UK automotive industry since 2017. The industry has invested billions into new technology to meet this evolving demand.
According to Cars UK, the Tesla Model 3 secured 9,929 sales, positioning it as a primary driver of the electric trend. Electrifying.com notes that the Tesla Model Y, BYD Sealion 7, Seal, and Kia EV3 also performed strongly among battery-powered options. Despite the record-setting volume, the SMMT continues to label the ZEV mandate requirements as unworkable, arguing that current energy costs and target structures create a challenging landscape for manufacturers.
As the government reviews ZEV mandate targets, the industry remains committed to the broader phase-out of petrol and diesel sales by 2035. With over 455,000 electric vehicles registered so far in 2026, the current sales pace is officially outpacing existing regulatory requirements through available mandate flexibilities.