More than two million electric cars have now been registered in the UK, marking a significant milestone in the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles. However, the automotive industry continues to caution that electric vehicle demand is not accelerating fast enough to meet government targets.
April Market Rebound
New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that the UK new car market surged by 24 per cent in April, with 149,247 new cars registered during the month. While this appears to be a substantial increase, context is necessary: April 2025 was an unusually weak month due to a rush of registrations in March 2025 ahead of changes to vehicle tax rules. Those changes included the application of Vehicle Excise Duty to electric cars and the adjustment of the Expensive Car Supplement threshold for EVs from £40,000 to £50,000 in April 2026. Consequently, April 2026 was always likely to appear stronger when compared with the previous year.
Nevertheless, it was the best April for the new car market since 2019, before the disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent supply chain shortages. The robust sales figures have prompted the SMMT to raise its overall sales forecast for 2026 to 2.093 million vehicles, up from the January projection of 2.048 million. If achieved, this would represent a 3.6 per cent year-on-year increase.
Fleet and Private Sales
Fleet buyers continued to drive much of the market growth, with company and business fleet registrations climbing by 26.8 per cent to 90,462 units. Private buyers also returned in greater numbers, with retail registrations rising by 20.2 per cent to 56,116. Smaller business registrations increased by 15.0 per cent to 2,669.
Electric Vehicle Milestone
The headline story, however, is electric vehicles. April saw the registration of the two millionth battery electric car in the UK, bringing the cumulative total to 2,012,758 since records began in 2002. Electric car registrations soared by 59.1 per cent compared with April 2025, giving EVs a 26.2 per cent market share for the month. For the year to date, electric cars account for 23.1 per cent of all new registrations.
Despite this progress, car manufacturers are struggling to meet the requirements of the Government's Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which stipulates that a rising proportion of sales must be electric. For 2026, the industry estimates that the market remains significantly below the mandated 33 per cent level, even after substantial discounts and the introduction of the Electric Car Grant last year.
The SMMT now forecasts that EVs will capture 26.8 per cent of the market in 2026, down from its previous prediction of 28.5 per cent, following weaker-than-expected demand in the first quarter. Looking further ahead, the SMMT expects the 2027 market to reach 2,121,000 cars, with EVs comprising 32 per cent of that total, still leaving a gap of around six percentage points against the mandate target.
Broader Electrification Trends
Electrified vehicles of all types accounted for more than half of the market in April, at 53.2 per cent. Plug-in hybrids saw a 46.4 per cent increase, capturing a 13.8 per cent share, while regular hybrids rose by 18.8 per cent, taking 13.2 per cent of the market. Petrol car sales still grew by 8.2 per cent, but diesel registrations slipped by 1.0 per cent.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, commented: “April’s rebound is welcome, but underlines just how significantly fiscal changes can influence the market. Two million electric car registrations is a considerable milestone to celebrate, although natural demand is still well below the level demanded by the mandate.”
Renault 5 Leads EV Sales
Against this backdrop, Renault is highlighting its own figures as evidence that smaller, more affordable electric vehicles are beginning to resonate with buyers. The French brand reports that the Renault 5 E-Tech electric has become the UK's best-selling electric car, with EVs representing 49 per cent of Renault UK's passenger car registrations in April. Renault attributes this success to rising fuel costs, which are pushing more drivers towards electric vehicles, and notes an increase in enquiries for its EVs in recent months.
The Renault 5 arrives at a strategic time for the brand, combining retro styling with a starting price of £21,495 after the Electric Car Grant. It is offered with two powertrain options, three trim levels, and a claimed range of up to 252 miles depending on the version. The vehicle can also charge from 15 to 80 per cent in approximately 30 minutes.
Renault has now introduced one-pedal driving for the 5 E-Tech electric on techno trim and above. This system enhances regenerative braking, allowing the car to slow down and come to a complete stop using only the accelerator pedal, a feature that simplifies town driving, particularly in stop-start traffic.
Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault UK, said: “We’re seeing a very clear change in the market, with more customers actively moving towards electric as the cost of running a petrol or diesel car comes under greater scrutiny. Renault 5 E-Tech electric has captured that moment perfectly, combining a sense of fun with everyday usability in a way that really resonates.”
