Electric vehicle sales in the UK are surging, marking the highest boom in motor sales since the pandemic. The recent data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that 160,662 new cars were registered last month, a significant 7% increase from May 2025. This surge in registrations, the best May performance since 2019, is attributed to the growing popularity of pure battery electric cars, which saw a substantial 34.2% increase, capturing a market share of 27.3%.
Factors contributing to the rise in electric vehicle sales include an expanding range of models, generous discounts from manufacturers, and increased economic and geopolitical uncertainties. The spike in electric vehicle demand is also linked to the Iran oil crisis, which led to a notable hike in petrol and diesel prices in the UK, with pump prices rising by 20%.
David Isherwood, the UK marketing director for Renault, emphasized the increasing demand for electric vehicles, driven by a wider selection of more advanced and affordable cars and the recent focus on fuel costs due to the oil price crisis. Despite this trend, former President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism towards electric vehicles, although he briefly praised Tesla, a US electric carmaker, during his interactions with Elon Musk.
In a significant move, Nissan announced plans to manufacture vehicles designed by Chinese company Chery at its Sunderland plant, highlighting China’s growing influence in the UK’s electric vehicle market. According to Professor David Bailey from the University of Birmingham, this partnership signifies a shift towards Chinese car manufacturing within the UK, with China potentially becoming a major player in the British automotive industry.
The UK has emerged as a key market for Chinese electric vehicle sales, with the Jaecoo 7 4×4 ranking as the third best-selling car in 2026 to date, surpassing popular models like the Vauxhall Corsa, Ranger Rover Sport, and the Mini Cooper. Professor Bailey also noted that the UK’s minimal tariffs on Chinese imports compared to the US and EU have created an open market for Chinese electric vehicles, allowing China to lead in electric vehicle technology ahead of Western carmakers.