The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has released it's monthly list of the best selling cars on sale in the UK from the month before10:26, 05 Aug 2026Every month the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) releases figures showing the best-selling cars in the UK in the previous month.‌This means the latest figures show which cars were the best-selling in the UK in July. However, this month they have also released a list of the best-selling electric cars in the UK in July following a surge in popularity for these vehicles.‌Although this is promising considering the Labour government’s ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) mandate, more work still needs to be done in order to support and encourage drivers to make the switch.‌Nevertheless, the figures from the SMMT show that the car that came out on top was the multi-award-winning Renault 5, with 1,805 registrations.This was followed by the Kia EV3 with 1,691 registrations and the Jaecoo E5 with 1,291 registrations.‌Following the release of the figures, the SMMT's chief executive Mike Hawes said that while the figures were a “great achievement”, they would not be sustained if manufacturers continued to make losses through discounts.He warned: “July’s record EV performance is a great achievement, reflecting industry’s huge investment in zero emission mobility.“But that progress cannot be sustained if manufacturers continue haemorrhaging billions in EV discounts, distorting demand to avoid even steeper penalties.”‌He added: “A sustainable transition will not happen merely by compelling supply when underlying demand is not keeping pace despite year-on-year growth.“We need urgent reform of the regulation, else Britain risks undermining its competitiveness and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on this industry.”Nevertheless, the signs are promising, but others have also highlighted how the country needs more incentives in order to embrace electric cars.‌While their smooth, silent, and simple powertrains are appealing, electric cars, especially premium ones, are often criticised for being very expensive. Furthermore, the cost of charging at some places on the motorway has also been criticised.It is their cost that has been highlighted as a factor by renowned motoring journalists such as Auto Express's Mike Rutherford, who said that while he was a fan, he wouldn’t buy one until they became cheaper to buy.Article continues belowInstead, he said he was more likely to stick with a plug-in hybrid because they were cheaper and suited his lifestyle.Writing in Auto Express, he explained: “I love driving pure-electric cars. It’s just that I won’t be buying one until their selling prices drop further, they’re cheaper to insure and Britain’s public charging network becomes better, cleaner and more affordable.“And as much as I love pure-electric vehicles, it’s state-of-the-art, non-plug-in hybrids that I prefer at this time, because they better suit my daily driving requirements, wallet and lifestyle.”