EVs captured 26 per cent of all new car registrations in October, according to new data from New AutoMotive.

PHEVs also rose to 12 per cent, meaning 40 per cent of all new cars registered this month came are electrified.

Meanwhile, petrol and diesel cars continued to fall, with petrol registrations dropping 25 per cent year-on-year, while diesel fell 17 per cent, pushing both to their lowest market shares in years.

Together, the two fossil fuel powertrains now account for around a third of new car sales, a dramatic shift from their dominance only a few years ago. Hybrid models remain the largest single segment at 31 per cent, but even they recorded a decline in volumes this month. The continuing contraction across all non-plug-in types underlines how decisively the market is turning electric.

The electric van market also maintained momentum, achieving a 9.7 per cent share of new registrations, up on the year-to-date figure of 9.1 per cent. Despite lower total van sales this month, EVs remained the most resilient segment, signalling that UK businesses continue to switch to electric models to cut running costs and emissions.

Corrin Reilly, data analyst at New AutoMotive, said: “In a month defined by market decline for petrol and diesel vehicles, battery electric cars have demonstrated their resilience in these tougher market conditions, reaching a 2025 market share high of 26 per cent. As we enter the final months of 2025, ZEV Mandate compliance across the industry looks to be very likely, especially once the new increased flexibilities are accounted for, with Tesla, Volkswagen, and BMW among the most over-compliant.”

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