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The first quarter of 2026 saw plugin EVs at 35.2% share in the UK, up from 30.0% in Q1 2025. BEV share grew modestly year on year (YoY), whilst PHEV grew more. Overall Q1 auto volume was 614,854 units, up some 6% YoY. Tesla was the best-selling BEV brand in Q1.
2026 Q1 auto sales saw combined plugin EVs at 35.2% share in the UK, with full electrics (BEVs) at 22.4% and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) at 12.8%. These figures compare YoY against 30.0% combined, 20.7% BEVs and 9.2% PHEVs.
In volume terms, Q1’s BEV sales were up 14.5% YoY, to 137,614 units. PHEVs were up even more, by 46.5% to 78,666 units.
The UK ZEV mandate continues to operate. As a reminder, the 2025 headline target of “28%” was successfully met – once various loopholes and “flexibilities” were taken into account. The ZEV headline target for 2026 now steps up to “33%”, and then to “38%” and “52%” in 2027 and 2028.
