EV industry leaders hail ‘mainstream moment’ as SMMT data shows one in three new cars now fully electric

  Posted by: user_amy      9th July 2026

Electric vehicle industry leaders have welcomed the latest new car registration figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which show battery electric vehicles (BEVs) reaching a 30.0% share of the UK new car market in June – the highest monthly share so far this year.

The figures show the overall new car market rose 11.4% in June to 213,166 units, the best performance for the month since 2019, with growth recorded across private, fleet and business channels. More than half of all new cars registered in June were electrified, with plug-in hybrids taking a 12.5% share and hybrids 14.0%, alongside the record BEV performance. Year to date, BEVs account for 25.0% of the market – itself a record.

While SMMT has used the figures to renew its call for reform of the mandate, citing the cost of compliance and the more than £12 billion in manufacturer discounts deployed to drive uptake, industry leaders working across charging infrastructure, vehicle retail and EV advocacy point to the headline number – one in three new cars now fully electric – as firm evidence that the transition has moved decisively into the mainstream.

Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault, which has recorded a 37% share of EV sales this year off the back of successful launches of the Renault 4 and Renault 5, said: 

“The recent oil price crisis has added significant further impetus to the EV market, underlining one of the key benefits of making the switch; affordability. We are at a tipping point, where stylish, practical and capable EVs are available at appealing prices, and with fuel cost savings that we estimate to be £650 a year on average, buyers can now make the switch with their head and heart.”

Ben Nelmes, CEO at New AutoMotive, said:

“June’s data shows that electric cars are rapidly becoming the mainstream choice for British drivers. With one in three new cars registered in June being fully electric, motorists are switching at an extraordinary pace.

“As petrol and diesel sales continue their steady, structural decline, it’s clear that drivers are voting with their wallets. EVs offer families and businesses lower and predictable running costs, a superior driving experience, and an escape from the volatile global oil markets that have squeezed household budgets for too long.”

Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said:

“Just a decade ago, less than 1% of new car buyers were choosing electric – now it’s nearly a third. That shows how far and how fast the market has moved. EVs have gone mainstream because the case is clear: many new models are now at price parity with petrol cars, while second-hand EVs are often even cheaper. With lower running costs, cheaper charging and tax savings, for more drivers the maths simply stacks up.”

Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of Electrifying.com, the electric car buying and advice site, said:

“These figures show a car market that may finally be regaining the momentum it enjoyed before the pandemic, with EVs leading the charge. Buyers are making sensible, practical decisions – choosing electric because they’re cheaper to run, better to drive and protect them from volatile fuel prices. That’s good news not just for consumers, but for dealers too. Electric cars are no longer the alternative, but are becoming the mainstream choice.”

Delvin Lane, CEO, InstaVolt, said:

“30% market share doesn’t happen without confidence in the charging network behind it. Every month that coverage, reliability and utilisation data improves, driver hesitation drops with it. We’re seeing that translate directly into registrations. The network is doing its job. Consumers are driving demand as they switch to EVs which are loaded with tech, better to drive, and save drivers money. Honestly, there’s never been a better time to make the switch; car manufacturers, take note!”

John Lewis, CEO, char.gy, said:

“Hitting 30% is brilliant, but the real story is what’s next. This growth has been powered by drivers with a driveway and access to home charging. Now we need to bring that same convenience to the two in five UK households who park on the street – that’s the next chapter of this transition.”

Tanya Sinclair, CEO, Electric Vehicles UK, said:

“Almost one in three new cars sold last month were fully electric. We’ve hit the mainstream. The infrastructure is scaling, the choice of models is widening in every segment and the cost of running these cars is lower. For drivers, that means lower bills, fewer forecourt visits, and a smoother, quieter drive. Government just needs to align itself with the British motorist’s direction of travel – not certain carmakers lack of ambition – towards an electric future.”