Britain’s new-car market recorded its strongest August performance in eight years, with registrations rising sharply as battery-electric vehicles continued to capture a growing share of
demand, preliminary industry figures showed on Friday.
More than 90,000 new cars were registered in the UK during August, representing an increase of roughly 13% from a year earlier, according to initial data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It was the best result for the traditionally quieter month of August since 2018.
Electric vehicles were a major driver of the market’s performance. Battery-electric models accounted for around 30% of all new-car registrations during the month, taking their share for the year so far to approximately 26%.
The figures underline the rapid expansion of the electric-car market in Britain, although manufacturers are still falling short of the government’s increasingly demanding targets for zero-emission vehicles.
Under the UK’s zero-emission vehicle mandate, manufacturers are required to ensure that 33% of new cars sold in 2026 are zero-emission models. The August figure of about 30%, as well as the year-to-date share of 26%, therefore remains below the mandated level.
The latest figures also point to continued momentum behind the transition away from petrol and diesel vehicles, despite uncertainty over consumer demand, pricing and the wider economic outlook.
Separate figures released earlier in the week by automotive research group New AutoMotive painted an even stronger picture of the market. Its data indicated that registrations of battery-electric vehicles also reached roughly 30% of the market in August, while overall new-car registrations increased by 17.5% year-on-year.
The differences between the two sets of figures reflect the fact that SMMT and New AutoMotive draw on different sources and use different methodologies when compiling their market estimates.
The SMMT is due to publish its definitive August registration figures at 0800 GMT on Friday. The final data will provide a more detailed breakdown of sales by vehicle type and manufacturer and will offer a clearer assessment of how the market is progressing against the government's 2026 zero-emission target.
August is traditionally a relatively small month for UK car sales ahead of the twice-yearly registration changes in March and September. A strong performance during the month is therefore particularly notable and suggests that underlying demand for new vehicles remains resilient.
For carmakers, however, the rising EV share brings both opportunity and pressure. Manufacturers are investing heavily in electric models while facing the challenge of persuading consumers to switch at a pace fast enough to meet regulatory requirements.
The latest figures suggest the UK is making further progress in electrifying its new-car market, but the gap between actual EV sales and the government's 2026 mandate means manufacturers may face increasing pressure to boost zero-emission deliveries during the remainder of the year. Photo by Alexander-93, Wikimedia commons.
