Battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the UK reached a record monthly level in September, rising 36.3% year-on-year to 99,199 units, according to preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
BEVs accounted for 28.3% of all new car registrations during the month, with the result supported by a wider selection of electric models, manufacturer incentives and the government’s Electric Car Grant (ECG) scheme.
September was also the first month of the new UK registration plate year.
BEV Registrations Rise 30.2% in 2026
The September result lifted cumulative UK BEV registrations for the first nine months of 2026 to 454,945 vehicles, up 30.2% compared with the same period in 2025.
BEVs now hold a 26.2% share of the UK new-car market on a year-to-date basis, compared with 20.2% during the corresponding period last year.
Tesla’s Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling BEV in September, recording 9,929 registrations. The Tesla Model Y ranked second, followed by the BYD Sealion 7, BYD Seal and Kia EV3.
The figures are preliminary, with SMMT expected to publish full and final registration data on Monday.
EV Growth Remains Below ZEV Mandate Target
SMMT said the record September performance demonstrates the potential for continued growth in the UK’s electric car market, while noting that adoption remains below the level required under the country’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
The mandate requires BEVs to account for 33% of new car sales in 2026.
Based on the industry’s latest outlook for a 2.183 million-unit new-car market, SMMT said reaching a 33% share would require an additional 265,000 BEV registrations during the final quarter of the year.
“September’s record EV performance is a major achievement. Drivers are increasingly embracing the growing choice of models made available and high fuel prices are also undoubtedly giving more consumers reason to consider going electric,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
Hawes said automakers are continuing to invest in new electric models, technologies and incentives, but added that uptake remains behind mandated targets.
“The industry’s commitment is clear with billions of pounds of investment in new models, new technology and incentives. Despite all these factors, uptake remains behind mandated targets and, whilst flexibilities help, the UK still has the world’s toughest targets and highest energy costs.”
Plug-In Hybrids Also Set Monthly Record
The growth in September extended beyond fully electric vehicles. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) recorded their strongest monthly result on record, with registrations increasing 55.7% year-on-year and accounting for 17% of the market.
Conventional hybrid registrations moved in the opposite direction, falling 4.2% year-on-year to 45,838 units.
Combined, BEVs, PHEVs and conventional hybrids represented 58.4% of all new car registrations in September.
The wider UK new-car market also recorded strong growth. Total registrations increased 12.1% year-on-year to 350,518 vehicles, making September the strongest month for new-car registrations since 2017.
