New car registrations rose 12.1 per cent year on year to 350,518 in September, the highest total for the month since 2017, as battery electric cars recorded their highest ever monthly volume, according to preliminary figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations rose 36.3 per cent to 99,199, lifting their share of the market by five percentage points to 28.3 per cent, the SMMT’s September registration figures show.
Plug-in hybrid registrations rose 55.7 per cent to 59,563, a record volume and a record 17 per cent share, the trade body said. Hybrid registrations fell 4.2 per cent, taking 13.1 per cent of the market. Petrol registrations fell 6.7 per cent to 131,861, while diesel rose 11.5 per cent to 14,057.
Taken together, electrified vehicles accounted for a record 58.4 per cent of registrations, the SMMT said.
September is one of two months, alongside March, when new registration plates are introduced. The SMMT said the month typically accounts for around one in seven annual registrations, and that September was the 10th consecutive month of growth.
The Jaecoo 7, from the Chinese brand Jaecoo and nicknamed the “Temu Range Rover”, was the best-selling car in September, ahead of the Tesla Model 3 and the Ford Puma.
The SMMT said the market’s overall growth was largely being driven by competition, a significant part of it from new entrants, along with increased choice and deals that were drawing in buyers who might otherwise have bought used.
Growth was recorded across all sales types, according to the SMMT. Fleet registrations rose 9.6 per cent to 190,988, or 54.5 per cent of the market. Private registrations rose 13.9 per cent to 149,158, a 42.6 per cent share. Registrations by the smaller business sector rose 37.6 per cent to 10,372.
So far in 2026, 454,945 new battery electric cars have been registered, the SMMT said. That is 26.2 per cent of registrations, below the 33 per cent mandated for 2026 and below last year’s target of 28 per cent. In February, SMMT data showed battery electric cars took 24.2 per cent of new registrations.
Based on its latest outlook for a market of 2.183 million cars this year, the SMMT said reaching a 33 per cent share would require an additional 265,000 battery electric registrations in the final quarter.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “September’s record EV performance is a major achievement. Drivers are increasingly embracing the growing choice of models made available and high fuel prices are also undoubtedly giving more consumers reason to consider going electric. The industry’s commitment is clear with billions of pounds of investment in new models, new technology and incentives.
“Despite all these factors, uptake remains behind mandated targets and, whilst flexibilities help, the UK still has the world’s toughest targets and highest energy costs. The mandate review is an opportunity to review those factors, to build on this momentum and support consumers but, in doing so, strengthen business viability and UK competitiveness.”
The Department for Transport opened a consultation on the zero emission vehicle mandate on 14 August, which closes on 23 October. The consultation document sets out options for cars that include keeping the current headline target of 80 per cent of sales by 2030, lowering it to 70, 60 or 50 per cent, or keeping it while extending compliance flexibilities to 2034.
The SMMT said 178 battery electric models are now on sale, more than double the number in 2023. Alongside more than 110 plug-in hybrid and 50 hybrid models, electrified cars make up more than three quarters of the new models available, it said.
The September figures are preliminary and subject to change. The SMMT is due to publish final figures on Monday.
Amy Ingham
Amy Ingham is a reporter at Business Matters, covering UK business news with a focus on breaking news, business policy, late payments and insolvency. She joined the magazine in 2026 after completing the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism at Harlow College’s journalism school. Her recent reporting includes British Steel’s nationalisation and its impact on SME suppliers, the decline in late payments by large firms, and Insolvency Service director disqualifications. Reach her at aingham@cbmeg.co.uk.
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