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Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) took a 25.3% market share in the UK in February 2025 – an increase of 41.7% compared with a 17.7% market share a year ago. This is more than half-way between the ZEV mandate target of 22% for 2024 and the 2025 target of 28%. The Mini Cooper was the month’s top seller, closely followed by the Tesla Model 3 and the Tesla Model Y.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that this dramatic increase compared with the rest of the market was unsurprising considering the forthcoming tax changes in April, which will see many EV models subject to the vehicle excise duty expensive car supplement (ECS) for the first time.
Next month – when there is the March numberplate change – is likely to see a further surge in EV uptake, as buyers capitalise on the new ’25 plate and take their last chance to avoid the punitive ECS which, from 1 April will add £2,125 over six years to the cost of BEVs with a list price above £40,000. Relative to the rest of the market, BEVs are disproportionately affected as higher production costs mean the average BEV retails above the ECS threshold, a threshold which remains unchanged since its introduction in 2017. The SMMT comments that the introduction of this measure also risks disincentivising the used market as well as the new, impeding a faster, fairer transition.
The SMMT adds that manufacturers have already underwritten the EV transition to the tune of more than £4.5 billion in discounts over the last year alone – on top of the billions invested in developing and bringing the vehicles to market. The industry body says that such industry support is unsustainable, which is why the current ZEV Mandate must arrive at measures which afford greater market flexibilities, incentivise private purchases, and both encourage and facilitate a faster rollout of charging infrastructure.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Although February’s figures show a subdued overall market, the good news is that electric car uptake is increasing, albeit at huge cost to manufacturers in terms of market support. It is always dangerous, however, to draw conclusions from a single month, especially one as small and volatile as February. With the all-important March number plate change now upon us, and tax changes taking effect in April that will, perversely, dissuade EV purchases, we expect significant demand for these new products next month – but, long term, EV consumers need carrots, not ever more sticks.”
