EV registrations hit record high, but van demand falls behind transition targets

UK new car registrations rose 6.6% in March to 380,627 units, making it the strongest month for the market since 2019 and the biggest month on record for electrified vehicle sales.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, battery electric vehicles reached a new high of 86,120 registrations, up 24.2% year on year. Plug-in hybrids also climbed sharply, rising 46.9%, while hybrids took a 15.8% market share.

Despite that growth, EV uptake remains below the government’s ZEV mandate target. BEVs accounted for 22.6% of March registrations, well short of the 33% required for 2026.

The picture is tougher in vans. Fully electric van registrations fell 15.9% in March to 3,543 units, leaving electric LCVs with just 7.1% market share. Across the first quarter, that rises to 9% – still far below the 24% mandated level.

One particular bright spot for EV demand is Kia, which has now passed 100,000 EV registrations in the UK. The brand says a wider choice of models, from the EV3 to EV9 and PV5, is helping build buyer confidence.

Meanwhile, the Jaecoo 7 became the UK’s best-selling new car in March, showing strong demand for electrified SUVs that balance new technology with everyday practicality.

For more UK registration data, visit the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

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