Electric vehicle momentum slowed sharply at the start of 2026, with registrations rising by just 0.1% in January, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Battery electric vehicles accounted for less than 21% of new car sales, marking the weakest share in nine months and well below the 33% target required across 2026 under the Government mandate. The SMMT forecasts EVs will make up around 28.5% of sales this year, still short of that requirement.
Overall car registrations rose 3.4%, driven by a 47% increase in plug in hybrid sales, while petrol models dipped 1.9% but still represented almost half of the market.
Concerns are mounting around the proposed 3 pence per mile eVED charge from 2028. The latest Motability EV Transition Tracker found that among drivers probably considering an EV, 50% said eVED makes them less likely to buy one.
Thomas McLennan, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the BVRLA, warned: “Policy should enable markets and growth, not freeze them. We must keep both new and used EV buyers moving forward, not holding back.”
FleetWise has previously reported on the changing fleet tax landscape for 2026.