Electric cars took a record 30 per cent share of the UK new car market in June, as higher fuel prices, a wider choice of models and hefty manufacturer discounts helped give buyers another reason to make the switch.
A total of 213,166 new cars were registered during the month, up 11.4 per cent on the same time last year and the best June result since 2019, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Battery electric cars were the big winners, taking their highest monthly market share of 2026 so far, with the Tesla Model Y and Tesla Model 3 topping the June sales charts, followed by the Ford Puma, which is available as a petrol or electric car.
Plug-in hybrids accounted for 12.5 per cent of registrations, while conventional hybrids took 14 per cent, meaning more than half of all new cars sold in June had some form of electrification.
Private registrations rose by 12.5 per cent, fleet deliveries were up 10.5 per cent and business sales climbed 17.1 per cent. Fleet buyers continued to lead the market, accounting for almost six in 10 new cars registered.
The SMMT said the rise in EV demand reflected the usual end-of-quarter push, alongside growing interest from drivers after the impact of the Middle East conflict on petrol and diesel prices.
However, the trade body warned that June’s strong result still leaves the industry some way off the Government’s targets. Electric cars have taken a record 25 per cent share of the market across the first six months of the year, but the target for 2026 is 33 per cent.
To hit that figure, EVs would need to account for more than 40 per cent of new registrations for the rest of the year. The SMMT says that remains a big ask, despite more choice, Government incentives, and more than £12bn in manufacturer discounts.
Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault, which says EVs have accounted for 37 per cent of its sales so far this year following the launches of the Renault 4 and Renault 5, said: “The recent oil price crisis has added significant further impetus to the EV market, underlining one of the key benefits of making the switch; affordability. 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.”
Meanwhile, leasing company Octopus Electric Vehicles has revealed its own picture of the cars catching buyers’ attention in the second quarter of 2026.
The Tesla Model Y returned to the top of its list of most popular EVs, followed by the Leapmotor B10, Jaecoo E5, Omoda E5 and Vauxhall Frontera. The B10 and Frontera both went straight into the top five only months after arriving in UK showrooms, while three of the five models came from newer brands.
Alvin Castillo, Procurement Director at Octopus Electric Vehicles, said: “What we’re seeing this quarter is how quickly the market moves when a car gets the fundamentals right - price, space and simplicity.
“The Leapmotor B10 has landed straight into second place because it offers exactly what a lot of drivers want: SUV practicality, strong tech, and no complicated choices. There’s one version, everything’s included, and customers just pick a colour. That simplicity really matters.
“The Vauxhall Frontera tells a similar story. It’s a known badge at a genuinely competitive price, and it proves that drivers don’t need to compromise on size to make the switch.
“What’s also striking is that three of our top five models now come from newer brands. A few years ago that would have been unthinkable, but today these brands are competing on quality, value and innovation - and customers are responding.”
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