Two in Five New Cars Are Now Fully Electric in the UK

According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK drivers now have more electric options than ever before, with record-breaking choice, improved battery range, and an ever-growing share of the market.

Record number of battery electric cars

UK motorists now have more choice than ever. Two in five new car models are available as fully battery electric vehicles (BEVs), while four out of five models come with some form of electrified powertrain – whether that’s a BEV, a plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or a hybrid (HEV).

In total, there are now over 130 fully electric models available in the UK, up from 102 just a year ago. Add to that more than 100 plug-in hybrids and nearly 50 regular hybrids, and it’s clear that whatever your lifestyle or budget, there’s likely an electrified option that works for you.

Electric range has taken a big step forward

Range anxiety has been one of the biggest barriers to EV adoption in the past, but things are changing quickly. The average range of a new BEV is now almost 300 miles (WLTP) on a single charge, a major leap from last year’s median of 235 miles.

Some top models like the Tesla Model Y can go up to 387 miles on a single charge, while the Mercedes-Benz EQS can travel well over 400 miles. That’s more than double the distance most UK drivers cover in a week, making long-distance trips and weekend getaways more practical than ever.

Plug-in hybrids have also improved. The average PHEV is now capable of around 50 miles of electric-only driving – enough to cover most daily commutes without using any petrol. Top models like the Volkswagen Golf eHybrid can stretch that to 88 miles of zero-emission motoring.

There’s still room for improvement

BEVs now account for 20.4% of the UK’s new car market, up from 16.9% a year ago. That’s impressive growth, but there’s still work to be done. While fleet and business uptake is strong, private demand is lagging behind.

SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes summed it up: “There’s never been a better time to go electric – with more choice, better vehicle range and improving infrastructure offering a compelling driving proposition.

“But the market still isn’t moving fast enough so bold support for consumer EV uptake – notably investment in incentives and infrastructure – is needed to accelerate decarbonisation efforts and make switching open to all drivers”

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