Market Overview

New car registrations in the United Kingdom declined by 2% in August compared to a year ago, according to a report released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on Thursday. Total registrations reached 82,908 units, with gasoline-powered vehicles leading at 37,373, followed closely by battery electric vehicles (BEVs) at 21,969.

Fuel Type Performance

Gasoline car registrations fell sharply by 14.2% year-on-year, causing their market share to drop 0.9 percentage points to 5.2%. In contrast, BEV registrations surged by 14.9%, boosting their market share by 3.9 points to 26.5% compared to August 2024.

Future Outlook

The report highlighted that around a quarter of BEV models are now eligible for the Electric Car Grant, which could drive demand in the coming months. Combined with efforts to expand affordable, reliable, and convenient charging infrastructure, the year-to-date market share of electric vehicles is expected to rise as the industry aligns with government ambitions.