Best-selling cars in the UK: EV sales hit record highs
EV sales reached record highs last month, while the new car market grew thanks to new September number plates...
September is always a strong month for new car sales, thanks to the introduction of new number plates – and this year was no different, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In total, 312,887 new cars were registered last month, marking a 13.7% increase compared with the year before. Indeed, it's the strongest September performance since 2020.
Most notably, sales of electric vehicles grew by 29.1% on the year before, with 72,779 vehicles registered – a record figure. This growth is thanks to incentives introduced by both manufacturers and the government, including brand discounts and the Electric Car Grant, for which around a quarter of EVs are eligible.
EVs now account for 23.3% of the market, a figure that is inching closer to the 28% target set out by the Government's ZEV mandate. However, there is still work to be done, as a lack of incentives combined with rising tax figures for EV owners are making it very difficult for buyers to make the jump to electric.
However, it is evident that customers are warming to electrified power more and more, as hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric cars accounted for more than half (50.8%) of vehicle registrations. Plug-in hybrids continue to grow the fastest, recording a 56.4% increase compared with the year before, equating to 13,822 additional units.
Following on from August, sales of more traditional fuel options continue to lose popularity. Diesel registrations were down 28.2% on the year before. While petrol sales increased slightly, their market share has grown smaller this year compared with September 2024 (45.2% compared with 50.1%).
Sales in all markets recorded growth, with private, fleet and business buyers up by 8.9%, 16.9% and 28.6% respectively compared with the year before.
But which models sold the most last month? Below we've listed the top 10. And if you like the look of any of them, just follow the links to read more or see how much you can save on the best new car deals.
