Best month ever for BEV registrations in March 2025

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sales in March 2025 rose a massive 43.2%, the SMMT has reported, making March the largest month ever for registrations of electric cars.

69,313 new cars reached the road as manufacturers delivered more zero emission vehicles to drivers during the new ‘25 plate’ month, which usually accounts for around 16% of annual registrations and, as such, provides a strong indicator of likely overall annual performance.

Meanwhile, hybrid electric vehicles and plug in hybrids rose too - 27.7% and 37.9% respectively.

While EV market share improved significantly on March 2024, at 19.4% it remains more than eight percentage points behind targets set by the ZEV Mandate.

Furthermore, given the VED Expensive Car Supplement can now apply to eligible new EVs from 1 April, the SMMT highlights that the March EV performance will have been boosted by shrewd buyers seeking to get ahead of the taxation increase. This underscores the challenge facing manufacturers whose 2025 EV sales must accelerate to 28% share over the course of the year.

The SMMT says that manufacturer incentives cost the industry some £4.5 billion last year. Investment in product development is also bringing ever greater choice to consumers, with more than 130 EV models now available across every size category, and average range now reaching above 290 miles – more than double the average weekly mileage. Year to date, however, BEV uptake comprises 20.7% of the market, highlighting the importance of government incentives and mandatory targets for chargepoint rollout to reassure consumers and stimulate EV demand.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "A welcome return to growth, and substantial growth at that, is a fillip for the industry. Moreover, with March being the best month ever for electric car registrations, there is reason for optimism. Manufacturers remain committed to the market decarbonisation the country and the environment demands, but we need sustained growth, not a short-term bubble driven by unsustainable manufacturer discounting and drivers rushing to beat a tax hike.

"Without substantive government support for consumers, the current regulatory regime is undeliverable. A rapid response to the government consultation is therefore needed – one that adds flexibilities that reflect the natural level of demand and supports the industry to deliver growth in the face of a tough set of global challenges."