UK new car registrations experienced a substantial increase in April, rising by nearly a quarter – a 24 percent jump – to reach 149,247 units. This marks the strongest April performance since 2019.

Electric Vehicle Sales Surge

The primary driver of this growth was a significant 59 percent increase in electric vehicle (EV) sales compared to the same period last year. This increase is partially attributed to a slowdown in EV demand in April 2025 following the introduction of vehicle excise duty (VED) on electric models.

Tax Changes and Market Response

The introduction of VED – commonly known as road tax – and a potential £425 supplement for pricier EVs prompted a surge in EV purchases in March 2025. This was followed by a dip in registrations after April 1st, 2025, creating a comparative boost for April 2026 sales figures.

Fuel Type Performance

Beyond EVs, the market showed varied performance. Demand for petrol cars increased by 8.2 percent, while diesel registrations saw a minor decline of just one percent, likely due to reduced availability and waning consumer interest.

Plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales rose by almost 50 percent, boosted by the arrival of new Chinese brands, and conventional hybrid (HEV) sales grew by 18.8 percent.

Electrified Vehicle Dominance

Collectively, electrified vehicles – including EVs, PHEVs, and HEVs – accounted for over half (53 percent) of all new car registrations in April.

Concerns Over EV Targets

Despite the positive trend, concerns remain regarding the attainment of government targets for EV adoption. EVs currently represent 26.2 percent of the market in April and 23.1 percent year-to-date, falling short of the 33 percent market share mandated by the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has revised its EV sales forecasts downwards, despite the recent growth. They warn that the mounting cost of compliance with the ZEV mandate could limit consumer choice and hinder decarbonization efforts.

Key Milestones and Future Outlook

The total number of battery electric vehicle registrations in Britain has now surpassed two million, a significant milestone. The SMMT is advocating for a review of transition policies to align them with market realities.

Rising fuel prices, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions such as the Iran War, are also contributing to increased interest in EVs. The SMMT now projects total new car registrations for 2026 to reach 2.093 million units, but has lowered its EV market share projection to 26.8 percent from 28.5 percent.