Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 30% of all new car registrations in the UK during June, marking the highest monthly market share recorded so far this year and prompting industry leaders to describe electric mobility as having reached a “mainstream moment”.
According to new figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the UK new car market grew by 11.4% in June to 213,166 registrations, its strongest June performance since 2019. Electrified vehicles represented more than half of all new registrations, with plug-in hybrids accounting for 12.5% and hybrids a further 14.0% of the market.
Battery electric vehicles now account for 25% of all new car registrations year to date, another record for the sector.
Industry welcomes continued EV growth
While the SMMT renewed calls for reforms to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, citing significant manufacturer discounting to stimulate demand, organisations across the electric mobility sector pointed to the record market share as evidence that consumer adoption continues to accelerate.
Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault UK, said recent volatility in global oil prices had further strengthened the economic case for electric vehicles.
“We are at a tipping point, where stylish, practical and capable EVs are available at appealing prices, and with fuel cost savings that we estimate to be £650 a year on average, buyers can now make the switch with their head and heart.”
Ben Nelmes, Chief Executive of New AutoMotive, said the latest figures demonstrated that electric vehicles were becoming the default choice for many British motorists.
“One in three new cars registered in June being fully electric shows motorists are switching at an extraordinary pace.”
Charging infrastructure supporting confidence
Industry leaders also highlighted the continued expansion of public charging infrastructure as a key driver behind increasing consumer confidence.
Delvin Lane, Chief Executive of InstaVolt, said improving network coverage and reliability were helping remove barriers to adoption.
“30% market share doesn’t happen without confidence in the charging network behind it. Every month that coverage, reliability and utilisation data improves, driver hesitation drops with it.”
John Lewis, Chief Executive of char.gy, said the next phase of EV growth would depend on expanding charging access for households without private driveways.
Electric vehicles moving into the mainstream
Ginny Buckley, Chief Executive of Electrifying.com, described the latest registration figures as evidence that the market had regained momentum following the pandemic.
Tanya Sinclair, Chief Executive of Electric Vehicles UK, added that growing model availability, expanding charging infrastructure and lower running costs meant electric vehicles had firmly entered the mainstream.
With one in every three new cars registered during June now fully electric, the sector continues to move towards mass-market adoption as manufacturers, charging providers and policymakers work to accelerate the UK’s transition to zero-emission transport.
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For more information visit SMMT.
