UK Battery EV Sales Hit Record in March, But Fall Short of Government Mandate

Sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the United Kingdom reached a record high in March, according to industry data released on Friday, though market share continues to lag behind the government’s 28% target for the year.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that 69,313 BEVs were sold last month, the highest monthly total to date. March is traditionally the UK’s busiest month for car sales due to new license plate registrations and end-of-quarter manufacturer targets. Buyers were also motivated by anticipated tax increases and manufacturer discounts.

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Despite the surge, BEVs made up only 19.4% of new car registrations, significantly short of the government’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires 28% of automakers’ sales to be electric in 2024.

“Without substantive government support for consumers, the current regulatory regime is undeliverable,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes in a statement. He noted that concerns over charging infrastructure and high upfront costs continue to deter many potential buyers, underscoring the need for financial incentives.

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Total UK new car registrations rose 12.4% year-on-year in March to 357,103 units, buoyed by both private and fleet demand. However, concerns linger over the broader automotive outlook after U.S. President Donald Trump introduced a 10% baseline import tariff, with higher rates on select countries, in addition to 25% tariffs on auto imports that took effect earlier this week.

“March was positive for the new car market, but the impact of the tariffs enforced this week and their effect on imports into the U.S. will be the elephant in the room that could also cause significant consequences for the UK car market,” said Ian Plummer, commercial director at Auto Trader, the UK’s largest automotive platform.

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Meanwhile, Tesla, a prominent EV brand, reported a 0.6% drop in UK sales, with 7,220 vehicles registered in March, compared to the same period in 2024. The decline follows similar trends in European markets, where Tesla’s brand image has faced pressure amid CEO Elon Musk’s increasingly political profile, including his alignment with far-right parties across the continent.