UK new car sales surged to a seven-year high 11.7% in July with 156,571 units registered, the eighth consecutive month of growth.
The market was led by the private registrations, up 12.6% with fleet deliveries up 9.5% and the lower-volume business segment up 61.3%.
Growth was driven by electrified vehicle uptake, with plug-in hybrids up 33.6% to take a 14.9% share of the market, and hybrids up 11.6% to account for 13.2%.
Battery electric cars (BEVs) achieved another record volume for the month, up 44.5% – compared with a sub-par July 2025 when some buyers delayed switching until confirmation of full model eligibility for the Electric Car Grant (ECG) – to claim a 27.5% share.3
The latest industry outlook now expects BEVs to reach 27.4% of a 2.18 million-strong market by year end – up from a 26.8% share in April’s outlook but still far short of the 33% mandate target.4 Longer term, BEV share is expected to rise to 32.1% in 2027 against a target of 38%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said the July performance was a “great achievement” but reiterated his call for an overhaul of the ZEV Mandate.
“We need urgent reform of the regulation, else Britain risks undermining its competitiveness and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on this industry,” he said.
