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 entering the market.
The organization said the number of battery-electric models available to consumers increased by 25.6% year-to-date, with 31 new BEV models registering sales since the beginning of 2026.
Compared with May 2025, the market recorded a net increase of 21 available vehicle models.
Industry incentives and discounting programs also continued to support consumer demand, while government measures such as the Electric Car Grant contributed to higher EV adoption.
Market Share Still Below ZEV Targets
Despite the increase in registrations, the SMMT said electric vehicle adoption remains below levels required under the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
While BEVs achieved a 27.3% market share in May, their year-to-date share stands at 23.9%, below the 33% target set for 2026.
The industry group said the gap between consumer demand and regulatory requirements continues to place pressure on manufacturers, many of which rely on incentive programs and discounts to stimulate EV sales.
At the same time, the UK government’s recently published seventh Carbon Budget outlines a scenario in which electric vehicles account for 95% of new car and van sales by 2030.
That objective exceeds the current ZEV mandate requirements, which call for 80% of new car sales and 70% of new van sales to be zero-emission by the end of the decade.
“Britain’s car buyers are responding to a market offering more choice than ever, from both new and familiar brands, resulting in a robust May,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.
“The EV transition is progressing, but consumer uptake still lags behind even today’s targets, let alone the ambition set out in the latest Carbon Budget.”
Industry Seeks Earlier Policy Review
The debate over EV adoption targets has intensified following calls from members of the House of Commons Business and Trade Committee for an earlier review of the ZEV mandate.
In a letter to government departments, committee members argued that current requirements risk placing excessive pressure on UK vehicle manufacturers and should be reassessed before the currently planned 2027 review.
The SMMT has supported calls for a review, arguing that regulatory pathways should remain aligned with actual market demand and consumer adoption trends.
“While industry shares the long-term ambition, the pathway to Net Zero must be credible,” Hawes said.
“It cannot come at the cost of lost competitiveness and deindustrialisation.”
Diverging Views on EV Transition
Not all industry stakeholders support revisiting the mandate.
EV advocacy organization EVA England said policymakers should focus on measures that encourage vehicle adoption rather than creating uncertainty around future regulations.
“The priority must be turning that driver interest into real transactions, not creating more confusion about the future,” said Vicky Edmonds of EVA England.
The discussion reflects broader challenges facing the UK automotive sector as manufacturers, policymakers and consumer groups seek to balance emissions reduction goals with market realities and industry competitiveness.
