UK EV sales statistics

The number of electric vehicles (battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars) registered in the UK has grown rapidly over the past decade. By 2025, registrations reached 698,491, marking a substantial increase from 549,148 in 2024 and underscoring the accelerating shift toward electric mobility.

• The number of electric vehicle registrations increased gradually in the early years, rising from just 138 vehicles in 2010 to 72,834 by 2019, reflecting early market adoption and limited infrastructure during this period.
• From 2020 onwards, growth accelerated significantly. Annual registrations jumped from 175,082 in 2020 to 305,281 in 2021, 368,617 in 2022, 455,998 in 2023 and 549,148 in 2024, before reaching 698,491 in 2025. This rapid expansion has been driven by improvements in battery technology, expanded charging infrastructure, wider vehicle choice, and continued government incentives and emissions targets.

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Electric car vs traditional cars in the UK (2010-2025)

• Electric cars in the UK have grown rapidly, rising from just 138 registrations in 2010 to a record 698,491 in 2025, highlighting the accelerating shift toward electric vehicles.
• Over the same period, traditional petrol and diesel car sales have declined in market share, with electric vehicles accounting for 34.6% of total UK car registrations in 2025, reinforcing the long-term transition to electric mobility.

Types of electric vehicles sold in the UK (2025)

In 2025, zero-emission and low-emission vehicle registrations in the UK continued to show strong performance across key categories:

• Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) remained a major part of the market with 280,185 new registrations in 2025, reflecting continued demand for hybrid cars as a transitional option.²
• The number of Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) reached 473,348 new registrations in 2025, driven by rising consumer demand for fully electric cars and expanding charging infrastructure.²
• There were 225,143 new Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) registrations, appealing to drivers seeking flexibility between electric and petrol power.²
• Range-Extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs) remained a niche segment within the UK electric vehicle market, offering range security through a backup engine.
• Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs) continued to see minimal adoption, highlighting the early-stage development of hydrogen vehicle technology in the UK.

• In 2025, the United Kingdom registered 698,491 plug-in electric vehicles (battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars)², reflecting continued growth in the UK electric vehicle market.
• Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), counted separately from that plug-in total, added a further 280,185 new registrations in 2025², highlighting the ongoing role of hybrid cars in the UK’s transition toward electrified and low-emission transportation.

As of the end of August 2026, the UK had 123,677 public EV chargers across 47,810 charging locations³, supporting the growing number of EV drivers nationwide. This charging infrastructure includes a mix of slow, fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid chargers to meet diverse needs as electric vehicle adoption continues to expand.

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• Significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, aiding the UK's journey to net-zero by 2050.
• Job creation and economic growth, particularly in ZEV manufacturing and the supply chain.
• Lower running and maintenance costs for consumers compared to conventional vehicles.
• Enhanced air quality due to the reduction in emissions from transport, leading to improved public health outcomes.

Projections for EV sales in the UK

The UK is committed to achieving net zero CO₂ emissions by 2050, in line with legal obligations outlined in the Net Zero Strategy.

• This strategy includes targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 68% by 2030 and by 78% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels, incorporating international aviation and shipping.⁴
• Transport is the largest GHG-emitting sector in the UK, playing a critical role in the country’s decarbonisation efforts.
• Cars and vans alone contribute two-thirds of transport emissions, highlighting the importance of transitioning to cleaner vehicle technologies.

Government policies for ZEV adoption

Government initiatives aim to introduce new regulations to target vehicle emissions as part of efforts to increase electric vehicle (EV) uptake.

• 2035 Delivery Plan (published July 2021): Lays out policies to make ZEVs more affordable, improve consumer awareness, accelerate infrastructure rollout, transition fleets to ZEVs, develop a UK supply chain, and maximise the sustainability of ZEVs.
• Mandated Targets for ZEV Supply: To meet interim carbon budget goals, the government is setting binding regulations with specific targets for ZEV supply, ensuring the pace of transition supports carbon savings.
• Legally Binding Annual ZEV Sales Proportions: Manufacturers will be required to meet annual minimum sales targets for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), ensuring a gradual increase in ZEV adoption.
• Incentives for Chargepoint Infrastructure: These targets are designed to not only reduce emissions by replacing internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) with ZEVs but also provide investment certainty to accelerate the development of the charging infrastructure network.