The choice of electric vehicles (EVs) has doubled in three years with a new model hitting the UK market every fortnight, according to research by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Eighty five new battery electric (BEV) car models have reached the UK market since 2023 – doubling the number available to 171. They sit alongside 109 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and 52 hybrid electric (HEV) models, meaning more than 75% of the UK’s available market offering is capable of driving without tailpipe emissions. The breadth of choice is the result of sustained investment by manufacturers, with new vehicles typically taking between three to five years to develop and bring to market.
UK new car buyers can choose from 385 models across every powertrain and from more than 60 global brands. It makes Britain one of the world’s most diverse and competitive car markets, with options to suit every budget, lifestyle and driving need. Electric cars are now available in every segment – from compact city cars and family hatchbacks to executive saloons, SUVs and sports cars – while strong manufacturer discounts and the government’s Electric Car Grant are helping to make the switch more affordable.
The expansion in choice reflects the automotive sector’s leadership in the UK’s transition to zero emission driving. Manufacturers are investing billions in new technologies, battery development, vehicle platforms and production facilities, bringing increasingly sophisticated cars to market with greater efficiency, performance and range. Full EVs are now typically able to travel more than 300 miles on a single charge, well above the 127 miles driven weekly by the average UK driver.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“Britain’s new car market has never offered so much choice, with a new electric model arriving every fortnight and zero emission motoring now available in every shape and size of vehicle. Industry investment is delivering the products, performance and range drivers need, while compelling offers are helping more people make the switch. For those still facing barriers or uncertainty, the huge range of hybrid and lower emission models means drivers can still make drastic cuts to their carbon footprint, keeping the UK firmly on the road to net zero.”
Part of the UK’s EV choice will be on show today at SMMT Drive Live, where media will put the very latest car models through their paces. Reflecting the industry’s direction of travel, electrified models for nine in 10 of the vehicles available to test drive this year, and more than half (58.2%) are pure electric.
Second-hand electric vehicles
In other news, Second-hand electric cars are selling fast, with some dealerships selling them in less than half the time they did earlier this year.
Used EVs are finally catching up with the popularity of new electric cars, which have been growing rapidly over the last few years. Drivers are increasingly turning to second-hand EVs as a more affordable way to access the latest technology and make the switch to electric.
EV-only retailer Car360 says the average time it takes to buy, prepare and sell a used EV has fallen from 57 days earlier this year to under 30 days today, while rival EV Experts has seen a similar shift.
The appetite for used EVs is not just being seen on forecourts.
Octopus Electric Vehicles, Britain’s biggest EV-only leasing business, has seen demand for used EVs jump by 150% year-on-year, as drivers look for more affordable routes to go electric.
At Car360, Fewer than 2% of used vehicles are returned, with most returns linked to practical reasons like adjusting the car size to fit their lifestyle. Competitor EV Experts reports zero returns.
James Buxton, COO of Car360, said:
“The days of convincing people to go electric are largely behind us. Most customers have done their research and want expert advice on things like battery health, charging and which car is right for them.
“The clearest sign of how much the market has changed is how quickly cars are selling. Earlier this year it took us 57 days on average to buy, prepare and sell an EV. Today it’s less than 30. People aren’t just browsing used EVs anymore, they’re buying them.”
Martin Miller of EV Experts, said:
“We’ve seen the time between buying an EV and selling it halve to under 30 days. That’s a pretty clear signal of where demand is heading.
“Increasingly, buyers know they want an EV. Our job is to understand how they’ll use it and make sure they choose the right one.”
As drivers become more confident about electric cars, dealerships have to raise their game too.
Customers are increasingly walking into showrooms having done their homework on charging, batteries and running costs.
That means staff at dealerships need to know their stuff, rather than just persuade customers to go electric.
Greenhous Group has built more tech-focused teams with greater EV expertise, while Johnsons Fleet Services encourages sales staff to drive EVs as company cars so they have first-hand experience of charging and running them.
Ashley Passant, Managing Director at Greenhous Group, said:
“The stereotype of dealerships not understanding EVs is well out of date. Customers have done their research, so they expect expert advice, not a sales pitch.
“Today’s EV buyer is informed and confident. Our job is to add value with expertise.”
Terry Ward, National Leasing Manager at Johnsons Fleet Services, said:
“Being good at selling EVs isn’t about age, it’s about having a tech-first mindset. We encourage our sales teams to drive EVs wherever possible, so they can give customers honest, expert advice.”
Octopus Electric Vehicles says the shift is increasingly visible across its dealer network, with more groups investing in EV expertise and customer experience.
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “When we first started, finding dealerships that were genuinely enthusiastic about EVs wasn’t easy. That’s changed beyond recognition.
“More and more dealers are embracing electric because that’s where customer demand is heading. The best aren’t trying to convince people to go electric, they’re helping them choose the right car and making the switch simple.
“People are buying into better technology, better features and the value that comes with it.”
The shift comes as the industry recognises Used EV Week, led by the British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (BVRLA), which is bringing businesses across the automotive sector together to showcase the growing choice, value and quality of used electric cars.
Image courtesy of SMMT.
