Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK continued to surge in April, with battery electric cars claiming more than one in five new registrations, even as petrol and diesel car sales sharply declined — a development hailed by campaigners as a “clear signal” of public support for the shift to cleaner transport.
According to the latest Electric Car Count from New AutoMotive, battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales rose by nearly 7% year-on-year, capturing a 20.4% market share. In total, 24,757 electric cars, 1,655 vans, 230 motorbikes, and 16 electric HGVs were registered in April.
Despite economic headwinds and uncertainty caused by shifting government policy and global tariffs, BEV sales remain 31.6% higher than during the same period in 2024 — a strong signal of consumer confidence in the EV market.
“In a week dominated by anti-net-zero press narratives and criticism of renewables by both Reform and the Conservatives, the stellar rise in EV sales in April suggests that on the ground, consumers are listening to a different narrative,” said Quentin Willson, founder of campaign group FairCharge.
In contrast, demand for new petrol vehicles fell below 30%, reflecting a major shift in buyer behaviour. Hybrid vehicles led the market, accounting for nearly a third of all new registrations, underlining the increasing appetite for low-emission alternatives.
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