In September, EV sales in the UK reached record levels. At first glance, this remarkable jump seems like a great signal of a clear shift in consumer preferences to more sustainable transportation. Since July, searches for new EVs on Autotrader have shot up by almost 50%. This recent increase indicates an increasing number of willing and able buyers. The UK government’s electric car grant scheme provides up to £3,750 discount on eligible vehicles. Together, these efforts are increasing consumers’ access to electric vehicles (EVs) and accelerating the march toward a clean transportation future.
The national grant scheme is limited to new car models costing no more than £37,000. It provides the deepest discounts for its cleanest cars. In fact, only 36 models meet the criteria to receive discounts of at least £1,500 through this scheme. This powerful financial incentive is the main driver for the rapid spike in sales. Consequently, fully electric and hybrid vehicles combined accounted for more than half of all new car registrations in the UK during September of last month.
According to Ian Plummer, the chief commercial officer of Autotrader, the grant scheme has provided a “real lift to the market,” helping to drive sales amid challenging economic conditions. So far, more than 20,000 people have benefited from these grants. This underscores just how important government support can be for the burgeoning EV sector.
Despite external challenges, including the economic impact of US tariffs and production disruptions at Jaguar Land Rover due to a cyber attack, September proved to be a strong month for the UK car industry. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) brought great news! New vehicle registrations recorded their highest September month since 2020.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, noted that the influx of electric vehicle sales is “powering market growth after a sluggish summer.” He stressed that these kinds of incentives “tear down one of the barriers” holding consumers back from adopting zero-emission vehicles. In 2025, zero-emission vehicles were more prevalent in most of the UK. They accounted for more than one in five of all new car registrations—22.1%.
The increasing number of private buyers opting for fully electric cars over the past year reflects a broader societal shift away from petrol and diesel vehicles. The UK government aims to facilitate this transition through its ongoing electric car grant scheme, ultimately promoting a more sustainable future for transportation.