- The month of May was yet another promising period for electric car sales and registrations in the UK, with 31,519 new electric cars being registered in the month.
- The new figures from New AutoMotive show that fully-electric models accounted for 21.9% of the total car market in May.
- With these increasingly strong figures, it’s clear that consumer appetite for EVs is here to stay – but what more can be done to encourage more drivers to go electric?
May sees another strong month for EV demand in the UK
Looking at year-to-date figures, it’s a similarly impressive picture. From January to the end of May, 175,165 BEVs were registered, marking a 29% year-on-year rise over the same period in 2024. That rising figure was primarily contributed to by the electric passenger car market, but the electric van market has also seen strong growth in New AutoMotive’s report. 9,776 fully-electric vans were registered in the year-to-date, a rise from 6,935 in the same period last year. This growth was led by the top three biggest sellers of electric vans, namely Ford, Volkswagen, and Vauxhall.
Overall, the number of electric car registrations so far this year has brought the running market share for the year to just under 21%. With the 2025 ZEV target asking for manufacturers to have 28% of their passenger car sales be fully-electric, there’s still much work to be done this year to encourage more consumers to go electric. Tackling commonly-touted EV myths will need to play a part, and recently reduced planning laws for EV charging could encourage uptake. However, much of the industry is calling for further action, such as a taxation change that brings the VAT on public charging in line to the level charged on domestic electricity, making EV ownership cheaper for those without a home charger.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, commented:
“May’s figures are a clear indicator that the UK’s journey to electric mobility is not just on track, but accelerating. A 28% surge in electric car registrations, and nearly one in five new cars being electric year-to-date, shows that consumers are increasingly choosing the cleaner, cheaper, and better driving experience that EVs offer.
The ZEV mandate is clearly working, encouraging manufacturers to bring more electric models to the market and making it easier for drivers to make the switch. The strong growth in the electric van sector is also incredibly encouraging, as businesses reap the rewards of lower running costs and reduced emissions. This sustained momentum is vital for achieving the UK’s net-zero ambitions and improving air quality across the country.”
Fiona Howarth, Founder of Octopus Electric Vehicles, added:
“We’ve seen yet another strong month for EVs – proving that people want to drive electric. There has been a clear shift in the market, with car manufacturers new and old bringing out new, cheaper models every month – improving driver choice and helping to make the switch to cleaner, low cost driving.”
