Electric car sales surged to another record high in February, with one in four new cars now being zero emission as experts praise the uptake of EVs.
The latest data from New AutoMotive shows that battery electric vehicle sales were up 37.4 per cent year-on-year, resulting in EVs capturing 25.6 per cent of the overall market share.
In total, 20,659 electric cars were sold, alongside more than 1,400 zero emission vans, motorbikes and heavy goods vehicles in February 2025.
Brands like Volkswagen, Peugeot, Mini, and Renault all recorded triple-digit percentage increases in EV sales compared to February 2024, highlighting the appetite for electric vehicles.
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Battery electric car registrations grew by an impressive 37.4 per cent in February
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British manufacturer Mini also saw a huge spike in sales, rocketing from just 82 last February to more than 1,300 this year.
The rise in competition amongst major sellers can evidently be seen with Tesla sales. While the Elon Musk-led brand has sold 5,330 electric vehicles since the start of the year, figures suggest it will lose its crown as the UK's leading EV seller.
BMW has also recorded strong electric car sales, having sold more zero emission vehicles than any other fuel type in a clear shift away from petrol and diesel.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said motorists were "voting with their feet", noting that Britons have more confidence in electric vehicles than ever before.
He said: "The latest figures show that the UK’s policies to encourage electric vehicle adoption are working. Ministers should stay the course and give businesses and consumers the certainty they need to invest in an electric future.
"Carmakers have invested billions in bringing EVs to market, and the UK’s energy sector is investing billions in charge points, creating jobs in every nation and region of the UK. Now is the time to build on this momentum, not slow down."
The data also shows that the UK will meet the terms of the ZEV mandate with at least 28 per cent of total sales coming from electric vehicles by the end of the year.
However, analysis suggests that compliance can be achieved with EV sales of around 23 per cent as a result of policy flexibilities through cleaner hybrid and petrol models.
James Court, public policy director at Octopus Electric Vehicles, said it was "no surprise" that electric vehicle sales had improved again since Britons were impressed by the technology and the ability to save money.
He added: "The UK must double down now and stick with coherent, consistent, policy that positions us as a world leader for cleaner, more affordable, driving."
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander announced that the Government was analysing feedback from the recently-concluded ZEV mandate consultation, which many hope will inform future policy and provide clarity on the rules for manufacturers and drivers.
Registrations of new petrol vehicles also continue to drop, with a 34.5 per cent fall year-on-year, while diesel continues to struggle with a decrease of 13.2 per cent.
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BMW has sold more battery electric cars in 2025 than any other fuel type
BMWFairCharge founder Quentin Willson said the "most significant number" of the new data was that the combined EV and hybrid sales were almost double those of petrol sales.
Willson, who is also an advisory board member at EVUK, concluded: "This demonstrates a clear change in buying behaviours towards hybrid and EV power trains and away from combustion."
