UK Electric Vehicle Sales Jump 41.7% in February, Reaching 25% of New Car Registrations

UK EV sales rose by 41.7% in February 2025, with electric vehicles making up 25% of all new registrations. Find out what's driving this shift and how the industry is responding.

February 2025 marked another milestone for the UK electric vehicle market, with EV sales skyrocketing by 41.7% compared to the same month last year. Now, EVs account for 25.3% of all new car registrations—meaning that one in four new cars is electric. This surge stands out even more against the backdrop of an overall 1% decline in total car registrations, highlighting how quickly the UK is shifting towards electrification.

One of the key drivers behind this sales boost is the looming end of tax incentives. From April 2025, EVs priced above £40,000 will be subject to the expensive car supplement (ECS), adding an extra £2,125 to ownership costs over six years. This has pushed buyers to accelerate their EV purchases before the tax changes take effect. Carmakers have also played their part, offering significant discounts on EVs while raising prices for petrol and diesel models to comply with stricter EU emissions regulations.

A look at recent years reveals just how fast the market is growing. In 2024, the UK recorded a record-breaking 382,000 EV sales, making up 19.6% of total car sales—up from 16.5% in 2023. However, despite this rapid growth, the UK still trails behind China, where EVs already account for more than 35% of sales. Yet, it remains ahead of the US, where EVs make up just around 10% of new car sales.

Manufacturers are responding to the growing demand with massive investments. Jaguar Land Rover is injecting £500 million into upgrading its Halewood plant, Nissan is committing up to £3 billion to EV infrastructure, and Rolls-Royce has allocated £300 million for its second all-electric model. These investments not only strengthen automakers’ positions but also create new jobs, making the EV boom an important economic factor.

Infrastructure development is keeping pace as well. In 2024, the number of public charging stations in the UK grew by a third, surpassing 70,000. Over £500 million has been earmarked for new projects, and energy giants like BP are heavily investing in expanding the charging network.

Looking ahead, the UK’s EV market is set for an ambitious future. By 2030, the government aims to ban new petrol and diesel car sales, and experts predict that Chinese brands could capture up to 25% of the UK’s EV market. However, challenges remain. Automakers warn that regulatory changes and tax burdens could cost the industry £6 billion in 2024 alone, potentially affecting car prices and slowing growth.

With the UK on the brink of a full-scale transition to electric mobility, the market continues to grow, infrastructure expands, and manufacturers double down on EVs. The big question, however, is whether the UK can maintain this rapid momentum without further incentives.

Source: electriccarsreport.com