Electric vehicle registrations jumped 23.6% in October, pushing EVs to capture 25.4% of the new car market according to the latest SMMT data.
The figure represents the second-highest monthly market share recorded this year. Overall EV sales have surged 28.9% in 2025, with 386,224 units finding new owners.
More EVs have already been registered in 2025 than in all of 2024.
The SMMT credits the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant and increased manufacturer investment as key drivers behind the growth. With less than two months remaining in the year, the momentum shows little sign of slowing.
Industry projections suggest the total new car market will hit 2.012 million units this year – the first time sales have exceeded two million since pre-pandemic 2019. EVs are expected to claim 23.3% of all vehicles sold.
That figure still falls short of the 28% target under the ZEV Mandate.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Next year’s forecasts paint an even stronger picture for electric adoption. The new car market is predicted to reach 2.032 million units, with EVs capturing 28.2% of sales.
The progress marks significant advancement toward the UK’s 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel car sales. However, it won’t quite meet the mandated targets – regulations require one in three new car registrations to be zero emissions vehicles by 2026.
Vicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, responded to the October figures:
Continuing growth in EV sales shows that drivers are increasingly choosing electric- recognising that these cars can be cheaper and better than their petrol and diesel equivalents.
Stronger action to support those still struggling with the purchase prices of EVs, particularly on the used EV market, and bolder moves to support those without access to home charging should lead to EVs becoming the car of choice for many households.
Charging Infrastructure Developments
Several charge point operators are addressing concerns about public charging costs for drivers without home charging access.
Be.EV recently introduced its ‘Mega’ subscription package, cutting charging rates to 0.39p per kilowatt hour – a significant reduction from standard public charging tariffs.
The discounted rates represent part of broader industry efforts to make electric vehicle ownership more accessible across different housing situations and income levels.
