A total of 473,348 new EVs were registered in 2025 – more than the whole of 2021 and 2022 combined – as customer interest continued to grow.
EV uptake rose by 23.9% and accelerated towards the end of the year as the Electric Car Grant and manufacturer offers drew in buyers. In contrast, sales of petrol and diesel models were down 8% and 15.6% respectively across 2025.
Despite the positive progress, the Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT), which issued the data, said that interest was not keeping up with political ambition. It criticised the Government’s “confusing messaging” around EVs and warned that manufacturer subsidies to boost EV sales were “unsustainable”.
December saw pure BEVs account for one in three of all new registrations and electrified models – including plug-in and full hybrids – took 56.4% market share at the end of the year. However, for the full year BEV registrations stood at 23.43% – some way short of the 28% set out in the ZEV mandate.

Discounting by manufacturers and the Government’s own Electric Car Grant have helped bring down the purchase price of EVs along with a widening pool of more affordable models. The SMMT says that while the ECG has helped, it only covers around a quarter of the 160 EVs on sale and car makers “continue to shoulder the burden of driving up demand”.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high. Government has stepped in with the Electric Car Grant, but a new EV tax, additional charges for EV drivers in London and costly public charging send mixed signals.
“Given developments abroad, government should bring forward its review and act urgently to deliver a vibrant market, a sustainable industry and an investment proposition that keeps the UK at the forefront of global competition.”
While the SMMT continued to paint a gloomy picture, industry observers urged the Government not to dilute the existing ZEV mandate.
Melanie Lane, chief executive at charging provider Pod, said: “Every year the EV sector faces new hurdles and yet every year it continues to deliver record figures.
“With drivers and industry both playing their part, it’s critical that Government resists any urge to revisit the ZEV mandate that has supported major investment in UK electrification so far.
“Many more drivers will make the switch to an EV this year, especially with the Electric Car Grant in full flow, but sustaining progress in the transition and converting consumer affordability into long-term sector growth will depend on a consistent policy approach, lower energy costs, and a clear focus on building confidence in 2026.”
Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, added: “It’s been another strong year for EVs as nearly 1 in 4 went full electric, and over a third in December alone. This shows that confidence is growing and support measures are working.
“It is crucial now that we build on this progress and ensure all drivers are properly supported to make the switch. This can be done by expanding reliable, affordable and accessible charging, supporting the used EV market, and ensuring incentives reach everyday drivers.”
While the range of smaller, more affordable EVs is growing rapidly, the best-seller list for 2025 remained dominated by larger SUVs.
The Tesla Model Y maintained its place at the top of the list with 24,298 registrations, ahead of the Model 3 (21,188). Behind them the Audi Q4 and Q6 e-trons, Ford Explorer, Skoda Enyaq also featured. Smaller cheaper SUVs took the final three spots in the list, with the Kia EV3, Skoda Elroq and Volvo EX30 all shifting more than 10,000 units, while the BMW i4 in sixth place was the only other saloon.
Matt is Editor of EV Powered. He has worked in journalism for more than 20 years and been an automotive journalist for the last decade, covering every aspect of the industry, from new model reveals and reviews to consumer and driving advice. The former motoring editor of inews.co.uk, The Scotsman and National World, Matt has watched the EV landscape transform beyond recognition over the last 10 years and developed a passion for electric vehicles and what they mean for the future of transport – from the smallest city cars to the biggest battery-powered trucks. When he’s not driving or writing about electric cars, he’s figuring out how to convert his classic VW camper to electric power.
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