Key facts
- UK new car registrations reached 350,518 units in September.
- Battery electric vehicle registrations accounted for 28.3% of the market in September.
- The Jaecoo 7 was the best-selling car model in September.
- Tesla's Model 3 was the best-selling BEV, followed by Model Y and BYD's Sealion 7.
New car registrations in the UK experienced a 12.1% year-on-year increase in September, reaching their highest level for the month since 2017, according to preliminary data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Overall, 350,518 new cars were registered in the UK last month. The surge was significantly boosted by a 36.3% rise in battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations, which accounted for 28.3% of the market. This growth in BEVs was attributed to an increased selection of models, manufacturer discounts, and government incentives.
Despite the strong September performance for EVs, their market share for the first nine months of the year stood at 26.2%, falling short of both the 33% target for 2026 and the 28% target for the current year. The Jaecoo 7 emerged as the top-selling car model in September, while Tesla's Model 3 led the BEV segment, followed by the Model Y and BYD's Sealion 7. The SMMT is scheduled to release the final figures for September on Monday.