Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for 32% of all new cars registered in January 2026, according to independent transport research organisation New AutoMotive.

The figures reveal that BEVs accounted for 20.9% of the UK new car market, down slightly on January 2025. PHEVs accounted for 11.9% market share, a significant 27% year‑on‑year increase compared with last January.

In the van segment, electric vans saw their strongest January on record at 10.6% of new registrations in a month where nearly one in six of all new vans had a plug.

Hybrid EVs accounted for 33.9%, the most among vehicle types, while petrol vehicles accounted for 28.1%, an 18% decrease compared to last January.

According to New AutoMotive, with PHEVs being the standout performer at the start of year, this may be a signal of what is to follow in 2026. However, it says part of this growth reflects changes in compliance strategies, not solely underlying consumer appetite.

For instance, this growth is consistent with recent changes to the UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, which allows PHEVs to partially offset the required BEV share in a given year.

In terms of the top brands registered in January, European brands dominated, with Ford leading the market with a growth of more than 143% followed by Kia. BYD ranked ninth, the only non-European manufacturer in the top 10. 

On a year-to-date basis, Tesla continued to lead the BEV market despite falling outside the top 20 manufacturers in January. According to New AutoMotive, this reflects the company’s well-established delivery patterns. However, with its registrations down around 10% year-on-year, the trajectory bears close monitoring over the coming months.

Ben Nelmes, CEO at New AutoMotive, said: “The ZEV mandate continues to drive progress, making it cheaper and easier for motorists to go electric. Changes to the mandate last year have given car makers significant flexibility in how they meet the targets, and we are starting to see the impact of those changes. 

“Ministers should celebrate the UK's impressive progress, and be confident that our EV targets are a happy marriage of ambition and pragmatism.”