British Drivers Shift to EVs as Petrol and Diesel Sales Decline

Key Takeaways

1. Market share for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in the UK rose by 7% in April 2025, reaching 20.4% of total vehicle sales.
2. Electric vehicle registrations surged by 31%, while demand for fossil fuel-powered vehicles decreased by nearly 25%.
3. Hybrid vehicles now account for one-third of all new car registrations due to the decline in petrol and diesel cars.
4. The electric van sector grew by over 100% year-on-year, capturing a 7.7% market share amid a contracting total van market.
5. British motorists are increasingly aware of improved EV charging infrastructure and a wider selection of electric models available.

Recent data indicate that drivers in the UK are making a significant shift away from petrol and diesel cars. According to the Electric Car Count by New AutoMotive, the market share for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) rose by 7 percent compared to the previous year in April 2025. In that month alone, over 26,500 electric vehicles (EVs) were sold, capturing a 20.4 percent share of the market. Additionally, new registrations for EVs surged by 31 percent during this timeframe.

Shifting Trends in Vehicle Preferences

When placed against the current political challenges surrounding sustainability and the ongoing global trade conflicts, these results highlight the growing trust that British drivers have in electric vehicles.

In contrast, the demand for fossil fuel-powered vehicles has decreased by nearly 25 percent. This decline has benefitted hybrid vehicles, which now represent a third of all new car registrations.

Electric Vans on the Rise

The report also emphasized a remarkable growth in the electric van sector, which experienced over 100 percent growth year-on-year, leading to a 7.7 percent market share. This comes at a time when the total van market has contracted by 15 percent, with diesel van sales dropping by 24.5 percent. New AutoMotive attributes the rapid rise in electric vans to business fleet operators recognizing the benefits of reduced operating costs, tax breaks, and the government’s continuation of the plug-in van grant.

New AutoMotive notes that British motorists are increasingly aware of the advancements in EV charging infrastructure and are drawn to the expanding selection of electric models available when looking for their next vehicle.

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