Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK hit an all-time high last month, with registrations of pure battery electric vehicles (BEVs) rising by nearly a third to 72,779 in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Plug-in hybrid sales also surged, meaning that fully electric and hybrid cars together accounted for more than half of all new car registrations during the month. The record performance highlights the growing shift towards cleaner mobility options in the UK market.

The SMMT said sales were boosted by a combination of factors, including wider model availability, price discounts from carmakers, and the government’s electric vehicle grant scheme.

The grant provides discounts of up to £3,750 on eligible models costing below £37,000, aimed at making EVs more affordable for drivers.

While fleets and businesses made up the bulk of BEV purchases at 71.4%, private ownership of zero-emission vehicles has steadily increased, with EVs now representing more than one in five of all cars registered in 2025 so far.

SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said electrified vehicles were “powering market growth after a sluggish summer,” adding that industry investment in EVs was starting to yield results.

He noted that the government grant was helping to remove one of the main barriers to adoption — high upfront costs — and expected it to encourage more buyers to switch away from petrol and diesel.

Analysts also credited the push from automakers who have rolled out new models to meet rising demand.

Overall, UK new car registrations in September totaled 312,887, the highest for the month since 2020 and the best-performing September of the decade despite lingering economic challenges.

The strong sales came as the auto industry faced wider pressures, including U.S. tariffs on UK-made cars and a temporary production shutdown at Jaguar Land Rover following a major cyberattack.

Popular models included the Kia Sportage, Ford Puma and Nissan Qashqai, alongside two Chinese entrants — the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U — which broke into the top 10.

The government said more than 20,000 people have so far benefited from the EV grant scheme, which applies to 36 models from brands including Ford, Toyota, Vauxhall and Citroën.

Ian Plummer, chief commercial officer at Autotrader, said the program had given a “real lift to the market,” with enquiries for new EVs on its platform up nearly 50% since July.

For models eligible for the grant, interest has more than doubled, underlining the scheme’s role in accelerating consumer demand and supporting the UK’s transition to greener transport.

Source: BBC.