Electric vehicle market share in the UK reached a new high in March 2026, with battery electric vehicles accounting for 22.7% of all new car registrations, according to data from New AutoMotive.
A total of 83,662 new electric cars were registered during the month, representing a 22.6% increase compared with March 2025. Over the same period, the overall car market grew by 4.9% year-on-year.
Petrol vehicles continued to lose market share, falling from 29.7% to 24.8%, narrowing the gap between petrol and electric vehicles to just over two percentage points.
Electric vehicle market share in the UK continues to grow
Year-to-date figures show electric vehicles accounting for 22.5% of registrations, up from 20.8% during the same period in 2025, indicating sustained growth beyond a single-month increase.
Industry leaders suggest the data reflects a longer-term shift rather than short-term market fluctuations, with electrification continuing to gain share across the UK automotive sector.
According to InstaVolt CEO Delvin Lane, the narrowing gap between petrol and electric vehicles points to a structural change in the market, with electric vehicles steadily displacing traditional fuel types.
Industry calls for infrastructure and policy alignment
Stakeholders across the sector emphasise that continued growth will depend on infrastructure development and consistent policy signals.
Electric Vehicles UK CEO Tanya Sinclair highlighted the importance of maintaining confidence among drivers considering the switch to electric, noting that user experience and reliability are central to adoption.
Similarly, char.gy CEO John Lewis pointed to the role of policy frameworks such as the UK’s zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate in supporting market growth, alongside broader drivers such as energy security and cost stability.
Octopus Electric Vehicles Public Policy Director James Court said the current growth reflects increased consumer response to fuel price volatility, with demand continuing to shift towards electric options.
Industry context: accelerating transition to electric mobility
The UK automotive market is undergoing a rapid transition as electric vehicles gain share and internal combustion engine vehicles decline.
Rising fuel costs, policy measures and improvements in vehicle availability are contributing to increased adoption rates.
Within this context, electric vehicle market share in the UK is expected to continue rising as infrastructure expands and the transition to low-emission transport accelerates.
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