Battery-electric car registrations in the UK rose marginally in January 2026, but their share of the overall market fell to the lowest level since April 2025, industry data showed, as plug-in hybrids recorded the strongest growth among electrified powertrains.
Total new car registrations increased 3.4% year on year to 144,127 units in January, marking the strongest January performance since before the pandemic in 2020, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
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Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose just 0.1% from a year earlier to 29,654 units. As a result, BEVs accounted for 20.6% of the market, the lowest monthly share since April 2025. The SMMT said the softer share partly reflected a strong comparison with January 2025, when purchases were brought forward ahead of new tax measures introduced in April, as well as elevated registrations late last year as manufacturers sought to meet regulatory targets.
In contrast, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles posted the fastest growth, with registrations rising 47.3% year on year to capture a 12.9% market share. Hybrid electric vehicles excluding plug-ins also expanded, up 4.8% and accounting for 13.4% of registrations, underlining continued consumer interest in partial electrification.
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Looking ahead, the SMMT revised up its outlook for the full year, forecasting new car registrations to rise 1.4% in 2026 to 2.048 million units. Battery-electric vehicles are now expected to make up 28.5% of registrations over the year, supported by broader model availability, improving driving range and the reintroduction of government backing through the Electric Car Grant.
Even so, the projected share would remain below the 33% market share mandated for 2026 under UK regulations. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, struck a cautious note.
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“Britain’s new car market is building back momentum after a challenging start to the decade. It is also decarbonising more rapidly than ever and, despite a January dip in EV market share, the signs point to growth by the end of the year,” Hawes said. “The pace of the transition, however, may be slowing and is certainly behind mandated targets.”