Author: Ryan Hayes

Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the United Kingdom rose sharply in May, reaching their highest monthly market share of 2026 as demand for electric cars continued to grow. According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), BEV registrations increased 34.2% year-on-year during the month, accounting for 27.3% of all new car registrations. The broader UK new car market also expanded, with total registrations rising 7.1% to 160,662 units, marking the strongest May performance since 2019. Growing Model Availability Supports Demand The SMMT attributed part of the growth to an expanding range of electric vehicle models…

Tesla has delivered its 300,000th vehicle in the United Kingdom, reaching a new milestone as the electric vehicle maker continues to expand its presence in one of Europe’s largest EV markets. The achievement comes a year after Tesla surpassed 250,000 cumulative registrations in the country and follows a strong performance in May, when the automaker registered 2,897 vehicles, up 44% from the same month a year earlier. https://twitter.com/tesla_uk/status/2062105217806520388 Tesla’s UK sales momentum has been supported by a strong first quarter. Between January and March, the company registered 11,739 vehicles, reclaiming the top position among electric vehicle brands in the country.…

Bentley has revealed a redesigned Flying Spur range and revived the performance-focused Flying Spur S, a luxury hybrid sedan that delivers 680 PS and 930 Nm of torque while introducing a significantly updated design inspired by the latest Continental GT family. The fourth-generation Flying Spur S becomes the most powerful model ever to wear Bentley’s S badge and is scheduled to enter production at the company’s Crewe facility in September, with customer deliveries expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026. Single Headlamps Return After More Than Six Decades The redesigned Flying Spur adopts a cleaner exterior appearance and…

Chery will manufacture passenger vehicles at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the United Kingdom under a new agreement between the two automakers, marking a significant step in the Chinese company’s European expansion plans. Nissan announced that the companies have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding covering contract manufacturing of Chery vehicles at the Sunderland facility. Production Planned From 2027 Under the proposed arrangement, production of Chery-branded vehicles is expected to begin during fiscal year 2027. The vehicles would be assembled on Sunderland’s currently idle Line One production line, which became available following Nissan’s recent manufacturing consolidation efforts. In May, Nissan announced…

Scottish electric vehicle manufacturer Munro plans to establish a new production facility in the UK in 2027 as it seeks to expand manufacturing capacity for its industrial electric vehicles. The company said the planned factory will support growing demand from customers in sectors including mining, defence, construction and other heavy-duty industries. Expanding Domestic Manufacturing Munro chief executive Avinash Rugoobur told the Financial Times that the facility will primarily serve domestic customer demand, with annual production eventually scaling to thousands of vehicles. According to Rugoobur, the company’s specialist focus and relatively small operational footprint make UK-based manufacturing commercially viable despite higher…

Rolls-Royce has unveiled the Spectre Series II, an updated version of its first all-electric production model, featuring a larger battery, increased driving range and improved charging performance. The update marks the first major technical revision for the electric luxury coupé since its launch in 2022. Larger Battery Boosts Range The Spectre Series II adopts new battery technology derived from the latest generation of BMW electric vehicles. The model now features a 112.5 kWh battery pack using sixth-generation cylindrical battery cells, replacing the previous 101.7 kWh battery. According to Rolls-Royce, the larger battery increases the vehicle’s driving range by up to…

GAC’s AION brand has officially launched the AION V electric SUV in the United Kingdom, with prices starting at £36,450 on the road, as the Chinese automaker advances its international expansion strategy. The launch is being led by AION Auto UK, a joint venture between GAC International and Jameel Motors. Sales were formally inaugurated at the company’s new headquarters in Slough, while the first retail locations are opening to customers this week. Nationwide Aftersales Network in Place As AION begins operations in the UK market, the company has partnered with established service providers to ensure nationwide customer support while its…

First Bus is preparing to introduce a fleet of repowered electric buses in Bath as part of a broader program to expand zero-emission public transport across the West of England. The converted vehicles will enter service over the coming months alongside newly built battery-electric buses being deployed in Bath, Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. The latest rollout forms part of a wider investment initiative aimed at accelerating the electrification of the company’s regional bus operations. Electric Fleet Expansion Continues First Bus said 27 repowered electric buses will be introduced in Bath, complementing 17 new battery-electric buses for the city. The operator is…

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has awarded a contract worth up to £100 million to Wrightbus for the supply of 193 battery-electric buses that will operate on the region’s planned Weaver Network public transport system. The order includes both single-deck and double-deck electric buses, with deliveries scheduled to take place in phases between spring 2027 and late 2028. According to the authority, the vehicles will form part of the Weaver Network, an integrated transport system being introduced under a franchising model that will give public authorities greater control over bus services across West Yorkshire. New Fleet to Support Network Launch The…

Gridserve has opened a new Electric Super Hub at Moto Lymm Services in north-west England, adding 24 ultra-rapid charging bays to its growing network of electric vehicle charging sites across the UK. Located at Junction 20 of the M6 and Junction 9 of the M56, the facility sits on a key transport corridor connecting Liverpool and Manchester. Gridserve said the new chargers are capable of delivering up to 400 kW of power, enabling compatible electric vehicles to add up to 100 miles (161 km) of driving range in less than 10 minutes. The new installation complements six existing Gridserve fast…

Electric vehicle owners in the United Kingdom could face higher home charging costs from July after energy regulator Ofgem announced an increase in the electricity price cap for customers on standard variable tariffs. The maximum electricity charge will rise from 24.67 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to 26.11 pence/kWh from July 1. According to Ofgem, the increase has been influenced by higher global energy prices linked to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Research conducted by automotive publication What Car? found that the higher tariff could increase annual home charging costs for some of Britain’s most popular electric vehicles by between…

Wayve, Nissan and Uber have joined Partners for Automated Vehicle Education UK (PAVE UK) as the organisation’s first industry members, supporting efforts to improve public understanding of autonomous vehicle technology ahead of planned commercial deployments in the United Kingdom. The move comes as Wayve and Uber prepare to launch autonomous vehicle trials in London later this year. Expanding Public Engagement Efforts PAVE UK was established in 2024 by a group of public-sector and academic organisations, including the UK Department for Transport, the Department for Business and Trade, the Centre for Connected and Autonomous Vehicles (CCAV), Transport for West Midlands, and…