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Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) hit 30.0% market share in the UK in June, the highest figure so far this year.
Overall, registrations rose 11.4% in June to reach 213,166 units in the best performance for the month since 2019, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Growth was recorded across all sectors, with registrations by private buyers up 12.5%, fleet deliveries increasing by 10.5% and the smaller business segment posting a 17.1% rise. Fleets continued to comprise the lion’s share of the overall market, accounting for six in 10 (59.5%) new cars registered.
The SMMT says that the uplift was driven entirely by ‘electrified’ vehicles as the market continues to evolve, thanks to ongoing manufacturer investment in a wide choice of models and powertrains providing lower and zero emission mobility, as well as an expanded pool of brands now operating in the UK. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) took 12.5% of the market, while hybrids (HEVs) accounted for 14.0%.
The figures reflect the trend of high volumes at the end of each quarter and consumer interest spurred by the impact of the Middle East conflict on fuel prices.
Year to date, BEVs account for 25.0% of the market – a record achievement. The ZEV Mandate target for 2026 is 33%. Mandate flexibilities are helping manufacturers comply.
Commenting on the SMMT’s new car sales data for June 2026 Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said: “Data showing such impressive EV sales figures puts calls by the car industry for the Government to weaken its EV sales targets in a different light. With the car industry on course to comply with these targets for the third year running, the Government can keep its foot on the accelerator – the ZEV mandate is incentivising competition between manufacturers, bringing prices down and helping an increasing number of regular families make the switch to electric driving and cut their driving bills in the midst of a cost of living crisis.
“Were the Government to weaken the mandate yet again, it would be choosing regulatory uncertainty over stability. EV sticker prices could bounce back up, and the UK would remain dependent on volatile oil imports. Manufacturers would also be incentivised to sell more plug-in hybrids, which typically cost more to buy than EVs, and cost significantly more to run than is claimed – another dieselgate scandal in the making. Furthermore, with 75% of the cars made in the UK exported, and the world rapidly embracing EVs, such flip-flopping would risk of a repeat of the mistakes of the 70s and 80s when a failure to modernise in the face of competition from abroad decimated the UK car industry, costing thousands of jobs.
“Unsurprisingly, calls for the ZEV mandate to be weakened are being led by laggards who have been left behind in making the switch to building electric vehicles. The question for the Government is are there other ways they can support the likes of Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover, rather than change the whole mandate which won’t incentivise modernisation, will discourage investment in our economy, and leave regular families stuck paying much higher driving bills?”
