Thirty percent of new cars registered in June were fully electric, according to newly published statistics from independent research organisation New AutoMotive.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) captured 30% of the new car market last month as 64,000 new electric cars were registered in total, representing a 37.7% year-on-year increase.
When combined with plug-in hybrids, which took 12.1% of the market, more than four in ten new cars registered in the UK now feature a plug.
June also marked a record performance for electric vans, as battery electric vans maintained a double-digit market share at 12%.
These figures suggest consumer demand has accelerated in recent years, as the electric car industry has been supported by government policies such as the Electric Car Grant and a wider range of affordable BEVs.
The rise in sales last month comes after the rising cost of petrol may have encouraged consumers to buy electric cars in order to escape high fuel prices.
For the year-to-date, BEVs have accounted for 24.9% of all new car registrations in 2026, with over 287,000 electric cars joining UK roads in the first half of the year – a 21% increase compared to the first half of 2025.
New AutoMotive CEO Ben Nelmes said: “June’s data shows that electric cars are rapidly becoming the mainstream choice for British drivers.
“With one in three new cars registered in June being fully electric, motorists are switching at an extraordinary pace.”
The light commercial vehicle market also enjoyed a strong month, with electric vans capturing an 11.8% market share.
This represents a 19% growth in volume compared to June last year, continuing a positive trend of businesses adopting electric models to insulate themselves from volatile fuel prices.
Delvin Lane, CEO of the charging stations company InstaVolt, said: “A 30% market share doesn’t happen without confidence in the charging network behind it.
“Every month that coverage, reliability and utilisation data improves, driver hesitation drops with it. We’re seeing that translate directly into registrations.
“The network is doing its job. Consumers are driving demand as they switch to EVs which are loaded with tech, better to drive, and save drivers money.
“Honestly, there’s never been a better time to make the switch; car manufacturers, take note!”
The response to these statistics has demonstrated a confidence among electric vehicle activists that BEVs have been widely backed by the British public, if not by the UK government or the car industry.
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, said: “We’ve hit the mainstream. The infrastructure is scaling, the choice of models is widening in every segment and the cost of running these cars is lower.”
“For drivers, that means lower bills, fewer forecourt visits, and a smoother, quieter drive.
“Government just needs to align itself with the British motorist’s direction of travel – not certain carmakers’ lack of ambition – towards an electric future.”
More information about these statistics can be found at the New AutoMotive website.
Feature image: Wikimedia Commons
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