Around one in four buyers go electric in 2025

Almost half a million (473,348) new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered during 2025 – more than in the whole of 2021 and 2022 combined, according to SMMT data. 

This high volume, which the SMMT says is likely to place the UK as the second biggest EV market in Europe by volume, saw BEV market share rise to reach 23.4%. This still, however, falls short of the mandate target of 28%.

There are now more than 160 BEV models – up from just over 130 at the start of 2025 – with at least 60 more due in 2026. However, EV uptake has risen by only 23.9%. 

What's more, average new car CO2 has fallen by -10.1% from 2024 to 91.8 g/km.

Overall, the UK new car market grew for the third year in a row in 2025, breaking the two million mark for the first time since the pandemic, with 2,020,520 new car registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive: "The new car market finally reaching two million registrations for the first time this decade is a reasonably solid result amid tough economic and geopolitical headwinds. 

"Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high. Government has stepped in with the Electric Car Grant, but a new EV tax, additional charges for EV drivers in London and costly public charging send mixed signals. Given developments abroad, government should bring forward its review and act urgently to deliver a vibrant market, a sustainable industry and an investment proposition that keeps the UK at the forefront of global competition."