An electric car has topped the UK car sales chart in June 2026, beating familiar rivals like Ford, Kia and Nissan to become the best-selling vehicle of the month with 6,765 registrations
The UK’s best-selling car has been named(Image: GETTY)
Each month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders releases figures monitoring the UK’s best-selling vehicles.
Throughout this year, the rankings have predominantly been dominated by a familiar set of rivals, with the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage, Jaecoo 7, Nissan Qashqai, and Vauxhall Corsa consistently vying for the leading spots.
However, June’s figures revealed a significant change, both in the outcomes and the manufacturer responsible. The Tesla Model Y claimed the top spot with 6,765 registrations, while the Model 3 secured second place with 5,408.
The Model 3 has also recently appeared in Auto Express’s Driver Power Survey, where it was listed amongst the best vehicles to own. What makes this outcome especially remarkable is not simply Tesla’s double triumph, but the wider circumstances surrounding it.
Just a year earlier, the marque encountered challenges in certain market segments connected to controversy around its owner, Elon Musk, with some buyers reportedly reconsidering their purchases.
Last year, Tesla sales dropped due to Elon Musk’s political alignment with Donald Trump and his wider engagement in divisive aspects of US politics. In 2026, that dynamic seems to have softened, with industry experts indicating that consumer confidence has steadied.
Meanwhile, electric vehicles have become comparatively more appealing to certain buyers, supported partly by increased petrol prices following geopolitical instability, including the conflict involving Iran during Donald Trump’s presidency. Combined, these elements have helped fuel a resurgence in Tesla registrations.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK new car market maintained its recovery in June, with registrations climbing 11.4% to 213,166 units. This represented the strongest figure for the month since 2019.
The body stated the increase was powered entirely by electrified vehicles, highlighting ongoing manufacturer investment in a broader selection of models and powertrains providing lower and zero-emission alternatives, alongside a growing number of brands present in the UK market.
Despite the positive news for electric car registrations, the SMMT’s Chief Executive Mike Hawes warned that the rate of uptake still lags behind what is needed for a complete market transformation.
He noted June’s performance was especially robust, emphasising rising appetite for electric vehicles, with battery electric cars reaching their highest market share so far this year. He added that more than half of purchasers are now choosing electrified models.
However, he cautioned that even record levels of adoption remain inadequate to meet mandated targets. He observed that manufacturers are investing substantially in developing new vehicles and launching them, while also spending considerable amounts on sales and promotion, yet the overall speed of transition remains too sluggish.
Mr Hawes also called for changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, contending that modifications are needed to keep the transition on course. He said reform would be vital not only to sustain momentum but also to protect the UK’s competitiveness, encourage ongoing investment and safeguard employment.
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