UK new car market up 12.1% in September as BEV registrations hit record 99,199 units
SMMT's preliminary figures show a tenth consecutive month of growth, with fleet buyers taking over half the market, though year-to-date electric car share still trails the ZEV mandate target.
UK new car registrations rose 12.1% to 350,518 units in September 2026, the strongest September since 2017 and a tenth consecutive month of growth, according to preliminary figures published by the SMMT.
Battery electric vehicle registrations climbed 36.3% to a record 99,199 units, taking a 28.3% market share, equivalent to almost five new BEVs registered every minute. SMMT attributed the rise to unprecedented model choice, particularly in smaller segments, compelling discounts and the government's Electric Car Grant.
Fleet registrations rose 9.6% to 190,988 units, representing 54.5% of the market, while private demand increased 13.9% to 149,158 units for a 42.6% share. Registrations by the smaller business sector grew 37.6% to 10,372 units.
Electrified vehicles — battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid combined — took a record 58.4% share of September registrations. PHEV registrations surged 55.7% to a record 17.0% share, while HEV uptake dipped 4.2% to a 13.1% share.
Despite September's record BEV volume, year-to-date BEV share for 2026 reached 26.2%, below last year's 28% mandate target and well below the 33% required for 2026. SMMT said that, based on an industry outlook for a 2.183-million-unit market, hitting 33% would require an additional 265,000 BEV registrations in the final quarter alone.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said the UK "still has the world's toughest targets and highest energy costs" despite the record EV uptake, adding that "the Mandate review is an opportunity to review those factors, to build on this momentum and support consumers but, in doing so, strengthen business viability and UK competitiveness."
Since 2023, the number of BEV models on sale has more than doubled to 178, with over 110 PHEV and 50 HEV models also available, meaning electrified models now make up more than three-quarters of new cars on sale.
Sources
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