Battery electric vehicle (BEV) transactions have shown strong growth in the last quarter, up 40.0%, according to new figures by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
BEVs now make up a record 68,721 units and account for 3.4% of the market, as the overall car market grew by 1.7% in the second quarter to reach almost two million transactions, in the best Q2 performance since 2021.
The figures were the 10th consecutive quarter of growth, driven by ongoing recovery in the new car sector, and realigned the market within 1% of pre-pandemic levels in the first half of 2025.
One in 10 (9.7%) cars changing hands in Q2 was electrified, with hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions increasing by 27.7% to 100,127 units and owning 5.0% of the market. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) were also up by 10.3% to 24,370 units, and a market share of 1.2%.
Further growth will hinge on measures to drive uptake in the new car market, including rapid rollout of the new Electric Car Grant, the SMMT added. It also called for an “accelerated development of the UK’s charging network”, which was “crucial to assuring plentiful long-term supply into the used sector and building consumer confidence”.
SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said:
“Surpassing the four million half-year milestone for the first time since 2019 shows the UK’s used car market is building back momentum. That’s good news for the industry and for motorists who benefit from more choice and affordability across a range of higher tech, cleaner vehicles, notably in the emerging electric vehicle sector.
“To maintain this trajectory, a thriving new car market must be delivered across the segments, along with accelerated investment into the charging network to give every driver the ability to switch.”
James Buxton, car360 CCO, said of the data:
“It’s unsurprising to see continued growth in the used EV market – a clear signal that customers are comfortable buying second hand electric. We need a thriving used market to ensure affordability, and the recent data proves that the UK public has the confidence to make the switch.
“Car360 continues to lead the charge in the UK’s transition to electric, reporting a 40% year-on-year increase in used EV sales. With stock levels up 60% and customer enquiries nearly doubling, the market momentum shows no signs of slowing.
“Even when adjusting for the rise in vehicle availability, enquiries per car are up 25%, underlining a genuine and growing appetite for used electric vehicles.”
Dan Caesar, CEO, Electric Vehicles UK, added:
“It’s enormously encouraging to see battery electric vehicles record their strongest quarterly used car market growth (Q2), up 40% at 68,721 units. The savviest buyers are clearly seeing the opportunity to make the switch to more affordable runningcosts with good value, used battery EVs.
“This echoes resilient new car registrations in July, with battery EVs accounting for more than 1 in 5 cars sold. More and more drivers are doing their research and reaping the rewards of cheaper, better, battery electric vehicles. The growing proportion of used and new sales market is a clear sign of early mainstream adoption.”
Image from Shutterstock
