BEVs in the UK hit record monthly high with 72,779 units sold in September

New car registrations in the United Kingdom (UK) rose by 13.7% in September, reaching a total of 312,891 units — the highest number of monthly deliveries since September 2020, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This performance improves the year-to-date growth by two percentage points, with registrations up 4.2% for the first three quarters of the year, totalling 1.57 million vehicles. However, this remains below pre-pandemic levels (1.96 million units).

Best month on record for BEVs

September was the first month in which manufacturer discounts, an expanding range of models, and the introduction of the UK’s Electric Vehicle Grant (offering up to 3,750 pounds for battery electric vehicles priced under 37,000 pounds) significantly boosted registrations of BEVs.

Deliveries surged by 29.1%, reaching 72,779 units.

As a result, last September became the best month ever for electric vehicle sales in the country, with BEVs accounting for 23.3% of the market. It also marked the first time that electric models were the most popular powertrain.

Between January and September, two in every ten new cars sold in the UK were electric (22.1%), with 349,414 registrations — a 29.4% increase year-on-year.

BEVs are now the second most popular powertrain after petrol vehicles.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, says: “Electric vehicles are driving market growth after a sluggish summer, and with record adoption of zero-emission cars, the industry’s significant investment is starting to pay off — even though demand still falls short of ambition.”

1 in 3 vehicles sold in september was electrified

One in three new vehicles sold in September featured some form of electrification, thanks to 38,308 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations — a 56.4% increase compared to September 2024.

Year-to-date, 172,639 PHEVs have been registered, making up one in ten cars sold and showing growth of 38.2%. Combined with BEVs and HEVs, electrified vehicles now represent 33% of the UK market.

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) adoption also rose by 23.5% in September, reaching 47,885 registrations and a 15.3% market share.

From January to September, 222,669 HEVs have been sold, accounting for 14.1% of the market — an 8.6% increase year-on-year.

Petrol still dominates, diesel in steep decline

Petrol vehicles continued to account for nearly half of the UK market in September, with a 45.2% share and 141,310 registrations — up 2.4% year-on-year. In contrast, diesel vehicles continued their downward trend, with sales falling by 28.2% to just 12,609 units.

So far in 2025, 749,794 petrol cars have been registered — an 8.2% decline compared to the same period in 2024 — although they still make up 47.5% of the market.

Diesel sales have dropped by 14.3%, now representing just 5.3% of the market with 83,656 units registered.

Kia Sportage tops the charts in the UK

The Kia Sportage was the best-selling model in September, with 9,455 units registered, ahead of the Ford Puma (8,310) and Nissan Qashqai (7,218).

For the first time ever, the Jaecoo 7 — from the Chinese brand Omoda & Jaecoo — entered the UK top five, placing fourth with 6,489 sales.

The Vauxhall Corsa (Opel Corsa) rounded out the top five with 5,841 registrations.

However, the Ford Puma remains the UK’s best-selling model year-to-date, with 41,531 units sold, followed by the Kia Sportage (38,734) and Nissan Qashqai (32,789).

The Vauxhall Corsa and Nissan Juke occupy fourth and fifth place, with 29,327 and 26,995 units respectively.

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