Battery electric vehicles reached a record share of new car registrations in March 2026, according to new data from New AutoMotive, as industry leaders pointed to a continued shift in the UK market and the need for infrastructure and policy clarity to keep pace.
Battery electric vehicles accounted for 22.7% of all new car registrations in March, up from 19.4% in the same month last year. A total of 83,662 new electric cars were registered, representing a 22.6% year-on-year increase and marking the strongest month on record for EV uptake.
The wider car market grew by 4.9% over the same period. Petrol’s share continued to decline, falling from 29.7% to 24.8%, bringing it close to parity with electric vehicles. Year-to-date figures show battery electric vehicles at 22.5% market share, compared with 20.8% during the same period in 2025.
Industry response to the figures reflects a view that the shift towards electrification is now firmly established in market data rather than sentiment. Delvin Lane, CEO of InstaVolt, said the narrowing gap between petrol and electric vehicles signals a longer-term change.
“March registration data shows petrol market share at 24.8%, down from 29.7% a year ago. BEV is at 22.7%. The gap is now just over two percentage points. That gap was ten points twelve months ago.
“This is not sentiment. It is not momentum. It is a structural shift showing up in the numbers, month after month. Petrol is losing share. Electric is taking it. The direction is not in question.
“What that requires is infrastructure that keeps pace. Drivers making that switch need to know the network is ready for them. That is the job. That is what the data is asking of us.”
The expansion of charging infrastructure remains a central issue as adoption increases. The UK’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which sets targets for manufacturers to increase EV sales, continues to shape the pace of transition alongside consumer demand and external factors such as fuel prices.
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, said the scale of growth reflects long-term ambitions that are now materialising, while cautioning against mixed messaging within the sector.
“Growth at this scale was the ambition for over a decade. It is arriving now. The response from parts of the industry has been to keep airing concerns.
“That is a choice and it has consequences. Drivers considering an electric vehicle do not need to hear that the sector is uncertain about its own future.
“Every public hesitation is a reason handed to someone to wait.
“The focus belongs on the people making the switch. Making it easier, making it reliable, making it worth it. That is how confidence is built. Not in boardrooms, but in the experience of drivers who chose electric and found it worked exactly as promised.”
Policy frameworks have also been credited with supporting recent growth. The ZEV mandate in particular has been designed to accelerate the transition by requiring a rising proportion of zero-emission vehicle sales each year.
John Lewis, CEO of char.gy, linked the latest figures to the effectiveness of coordinated policy and industry action, while also pointing to wider energy considerations.
“March’s EV registration data is a real boost for everyone who backed the ZEV mandate. A record-breaking 22.7% year-on-year rise proves that ambitious policy works when government and industry stay the course together.
“Rising oil prices are a reminder of why this transition matters. Every electric vehicle on the road is a step towards energy security, cleaner air, and lower running costs for British drivers.
“char.gy remains fully committed to building the UK’s charging infrastructure, delivering skilled green jobs, and ensuring that every driver, in every community, has access to reliable public charging.”
The role of fuel prices in shaping consumer behaviour has become more visible in recent months. As petrol costs fluctuate, the comparative running costs of electric vehicles have been cited as a factor influencing purchasing decisions.
James Court, Public Policy Director at Octopus Electric Vehicles, said the current market conditions are prompting a new group of drivers to consider switching, while reinforcing the importance of consistent messaging.
“The market is growing and we’re seeing a new wave of new drivers reacting to the petrol price crisis. Drivers are moving and the mandate is working.
“What they need now is a consistent message from industry and government. The brands gaining share are the ones getting on with it. That is the only message that matters right now.”
The latest figures come at a time when the UK continues to pursue its net zero targets, with transport remaining one of the largest sources of emissions. The pace of EV adoption is seen as a key component in reducing road transport emissions, alongside investment in infrastructure and grid capacity.
March’s record performance suggests that electric vehicles are approaching parity with traditional fuel types in new registrations. Industry stakeholders point to the need for continued coordination between policy, infrastructure development, and consumer experience to maintain the trajectory seen in early 2026.
