Over 473 thousand electric cars were registered across the Channel in the past year. The government has increased incentives, but at the same time has included a travel tax which will be implemented starting from 2028
In the 2025 they were sold 473,348 electric cars In the United Kingdom. A growing figure 23.9% compared to the previous year, with EVs taking a market share of 23.43% (over 2 million cars registered in total). Although petrol cars are still the most chosen by the British (46.42% of the market), electric cars are carving out their space in a country where skepticism regarding this fuel was no less than in continental Europe. There is certainly a contribution to this growth the 2030 mandatethe year in which the sale of combustion cars will be banned, with every new car therefore having to be at least electrified. However, it is also the British who make the British choose EVs incentivesfurther implemented by the Starmer Government. The increase in electric vehicles also leads to a natural decline in combustion cars and therefore in revenue from fuel excise duties, which is why a travel tax for EVs was introduced starting from April 2028. Let’s now discover the 2025 data for the UK car market in detail. All data reported in the article was processed by Smmt (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders), the British Automobile Manufacturers Association.
the 2025 market
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They were registered in the UK 2,020,520 cars in 2025. Of these, 937,938 are petrol (46.42% of the market), 473,348 (23.43%) electric, 280,145 (13.87%) mild or full hybrid, 225,143 (11.14%) plug-in hybrid and 103,906 (5.14%) diesel. Plug-ins grew the most compared to the previous year (+34.7%), followed by electric ones (+23.9%) and mild and full hybrids (+7.2). However, registrations of combustion cars are decreasing, with petrol recording -8% and diesel -15.6%.
incentives and excise taxes
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As mentioned, the British government’s incentive plan certainly contributes to the growth in registrations of electric vehicles. The executive led by Keir Starmer has in fact “fleshed out” with a a further 1.3 billion the £650 million contribution plan allocated until 2028-29. Specifically, consumers can obtain an incentive of up to £3,750 for electric cars with a list price of less than £37,000. This contribution is reduced to 1,500 pounds if the car purchased does not meet all the sustainability criteria decided by London. The increase in cars on tap leads to a decrease in combustion vehicles and, consequently, a decrease in revenue from excise duties on fuel. For this reason, the British executive will introduce from April 2028 a travel tax equal to 3 pence per mile for full electric cars and 1.5 pence for hybrids (also subject to the payment of excise duties due to the combustion part of the engine). Not just “discounts” therefore for owners of electric cars, who will soon be subject to taxation for their power supply as will owners of combustion cars. London has also joined the national line: starting from January 2026, in fact, in the British capital EVs are no longer exempt from paying the surcharge (13.5 pounds per day) congestion charges.
car brands
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As far as individual car brands are concerned, they lead the ranking Volkswagen with 178,607 registrations (+7.40 on 2024%). The German company is followed by its compatriot BMW with 122,723 cars sold (-2.03%) and from Ford with 118,998 (+8.22%). The most popular British brands such as Vauxhall (81,921 registrations, +3.84%) e MG (85,155, +4.44%), as well as Mini (47,328, +0.75%). Instead it collapses Jaguarwith only 1,725 registrations and a drop of 89.62%. Linear sales Land Rover (60,720 registrations, -0.93%). As regards Italian brands, the collapse of is worth mentioning Fiat (8,764 cars sold, -38.51%), while growing Alfa Romeo (8,000 cars sold, +80.07%).
the 10 best-selling cars
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These are the 10 best-selling cars in 2025 in the United Kingdom:
- Ford Puma (55,488 registrations);
- Kia Sportage (47,788);
- Nissan Qashqai (41,141);
- Vauxhall Corsa (37,947);
- Nissan Juke (34,733);
- Volkswagen Golf (32,478);
- Volvo XC40 (30,404);
- MG HS (30,191);
- Volkswagen Tiguan (29,857);
- Hyundai Tucson (28,613).
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