UK Electric Car Sales Hit Record in September 2026

Key points

• A record month for electric cars. 99,201 new battery electric cars were registered in September, up 36.3% on a year earlier. Their market share rose from 23.3% to 28.3%.
• Tesla Model 3 tops the EV chart. 9,929 were registered, making it the UK's second best-selling car of any type, behind the Jaecoo 7. The Tesla Model Y (5,946) and BYD Sealion 7 (3,191) came next among EVs.
• The whole market is growing. New car registrations rose 12.0% to 350,536: the strongest September since 2017 and the 10th month of growth in a row.
• Still behind the mandate. EVs have 26.2% of registrations so far in 2026, against a 33% target. SMMT says another 265,000 EVs would be needed in the last three months of the year to reach it.
• Plug-in hybrids hit a record too. Their registrations rose 55.5% to a 17.0% share, while petrol fell 6.7%.

A record 99,201 new battery electric cars were registered in the UK in September 2026, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). All ten of the month's best-selling electric cars are available through loveelectric, with monthly prices by salary band below.

A record month for electric cars

September is a plate-change month, typically accounting for about one in seven of the year's new car registrations, says SMMT. The whole market grew 12.0% to 350,536 cars: the strongest September since 2017 and a 10th month of growth in a row.

SMMT credits greater model choice, with 178 EV models now on sale (see how EV choice has doubled), along with manufacturer discounts and the government's Electric Car Grant. Including plug-in hybrids and hybrids, SMMT says electrified cars took a record 58.4% of registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “September's record EV performance is a major achievement.”

The 10 best-selling electric cars in September 2026

Tesla took the top two places. The Model 3 (9,929) was the UK's second best-selling car of any type in September, behind the Jaecoo 7, which isn't in SMMT's EV top 10.

All ten are available through loveelectric. Our prices are for the version each car page shows (named in brackets), while SMMT's figures cover every version of each model. The Tesla Model 3 is from £320 a month for someone earning over £125,000, or £331 on a £50,000–£125,000 salary (48 months, 5,000 miles a year, checked 12 October 2026).

All ten of September's best-selling EVs are available through loveelectric, with insurance and maintenance included. See the price for your salary →

Tesla and new brands drive the growth

SMMT says the market's growth is “largely being driven by intense competition – significantly from new entrants”. Across all fuel types, Tesla registrations rose 98.6% to 15,875, and BYD's rose 78.7% to 20,140, second only to Volkswagen (25,972).

Leapmotor grew 709.7% to 3,943. The Tesla Model 3 was also the best-selling car of any type in England and Northern Ireland in September; our guide explains which Tesla is best.

Still short of the 2026 target

So far this year, 454,947 new EVs have been registered, a 26.2% share. That's below the 33% mandated for 2026 and last year's 28% target, according to SMMT.

Based on its July 2026 outlook for a 2.183-million-car market, SMMT calculates that another 265,000 EVs would need to be registered in the final quarter to reach 33%. It notes that manufacturers have regulatory flexibilities available, and its view is that the ZEV mandate review should align the targets more closely with demand.

What it means for employers

Fleet registrations rose 9.6% to 190,998, or 54.5% of the market (SMMT, all fuel types). With 178 EV models on sale, an EV benefit can now suit more of your workforce, and loveelectric's Search Cars lists more than 200 new electric cars (we list versions and body styles separately).

loveelectric's scheme is designed to be cost-neutral for employers. The Zero Risk Guarantee was engineered to support employers throughout early terminations.

Weighing it up? See our guide: is salary sacrifice right for your business?

FAQs

Q: What was the best-selling electric car in September 2026?

A: The Tesla Model 3, with 9,929 registrations, according to SMMT.

Q: How many electric cars were registered in the UK in September 2026?

A: A record 99,201, giving electric cars a 28.3% share of the new car market.

Q: What share of new cars are electric in 2026?

A: 26.2% in the first nine months of the year, against a 33% target for 2026 (SMMT).

Q: Can I get a Tesla Model 3 through salary sacrifice?

A: Yes. Through loveelectric, the Tesla Model 3 is from £320 a month for someone earning over £125,000 (48 months, 5,000 miles a year).