Electric vehicle sales surge to record levels as fuel prices climb

September saw a record surge in UK electric and hybrid vehicle registrations, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reporting that they accounted for almost 60% of all new car sales. Battery-electric models alone sold close to 100,000 units, up 36% from the previous year, while diesel cars dropped to just 4% of the market despite a slight increase in absolute numbers. Petrol-powered cars remained the most popular segment but fell 6.7% in sales and lost market share.

The spike in EV demand coincides with diesel prices hitting a historic £2 per litre, a trend linked to the ongoing Iran war. Chinese EVs, highlighted by the best-selling Jaecoo 7, are attracting UK buyers with lower-priced, feature-rich options. Overall new-car registrations rose 12% year-on-year, marking the tenth straight month of growth.