Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations grew by 59.1% year-on-year in the UK as the two millionth EV was registered in April, according to new Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures.
Electrified cars accounted for more than half (53.2%) of the market for the second month this year, with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations rising 46.4% to take a 13.8% market share, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) increased 18.8%, securing 13.2% of new registrations.
The month saw the best outturn for overall vehicles since 2019, growing by 24.0% to reach 149,247 registrations last month.
Growth was recorded in all sectors, led by fleets, up 26.8% to 90,462 registrations. Private retail deliveries grew 20.2% to reach 56,116, while registrations by the smaller business sector rose 15.0% to 2,669.
BEV uptake reached a robust 26.2% share of registrations in the month, which the SMMT said was “an impressive performance albeit in a typically low volume month”.
Total new car registrations in 2026 are now expected to rise 3.6% to 2.093 million, up from January’s 2.048 million outlook, with BEV share at 26.8%, from 28.5%. The 2027 market is anticipated to reach 2.121 million units, 32.0% of them BEVs, just below the ZEV Mandate target of 38%.
In addition, the SMMT said that the Iran conflict adds further uncertainty, with the full impact of which is yet to be seen, including the impact of the rising interest in EVs.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“April’s rebound is welcome, but underlines just how significantly fiscal changes can influence the market. Two million electric car registrations is a considerable milestone to celebrate, although natural demand is still well below the level demanded by the mandate.
“The mounting cost of compliance threatens to limit consumer choice, overall decarbonisation and the sector’s competitiveness so the need for a rapid review of the transition to align policy with market realities is unchanged, else Britain’s attractiveness as a vehicle market and manufacturing hub will be put at risk.”
Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:
“With prices at the pump rising as a result of war in the Middle East, it’s no surprise to see EV sales jumping 59% in April. Drivers are voting with their feet seeking to shield themselves from these sudden jumps in the oil price, and save hundreds – even thousands – of pounds a year in running costs. Just recently Autotrader pointed out that EV sticker prices are now cheaper on average than petrol cars.
“With more than a quarter of new cars sold now EVs this reduces the UK’s demand for oil boosting energy security, with electric cars increasingly powered by electricity generated in British wind and solar farms. Calls from parts of the car industry to slow down the UK’s switch to EVs risks leaving our car industry in the slow lane, our drivers worse off, and the UK less energy secure. This is another step on the road to achieving net zero emissions.”
Matt Adams, Head of Electrical Transport Systems at BEAMA, said:
“With two million EVs now registered in the UK, consumers are seeing the benefits of vehicles powered by home grown renewable energy. Electric Vehicles reduce the reliance on fossil fuel and the fluctuation of prices determined by international affairs.
“The 59.1% year-on-year growth in battery electric vehicles marks strong progress. Yet the government risks undermining this progress with the introduction of Electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED).
“Introducing eVED in 2028 is simply too soon. It comes before the 2030 deadline on the sale of new petrol-only and diesel-only cars. To keep up momentum around EV demand, we need to delay eVED until 2030. This will give manufactures the confidence they need to keep building the charging infrastructure to keep cars moving.”
Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, said:
“April’s data should settle the debate. BEVs took 26% of the new car market, up from 20% a year ago, with registrations growing 56% year on year. Critics have spent months claiming the ZEV Mandate is unworkable or that demand isn’t there. The numbers say otherwise.
“Drivers are choosing electric in record numbers. Charging Infrastructure must continue to keep up with demand. Battery energy storage systems are essential to that, smoothing out demand peaks and storing cheaper renewable energy, which allows CPOs to pass savings on to drivers. If we want to meet the demand that the Mandate, and great cars, are unlocking, BESS has to be part of the answer.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide
