While demand for new electric cars has jumped, an industry body says manufacturers still face fines for missing green targets
Sales of electric cars surged nearly 60% last month as the Middle East conflict sent petrol prices soaring.
Data from industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed just under 39,100 of the more than 149,200 new cars that took to the road in April were battery electric. Demand for electric vehicles has increased, in part, as drivers look to save money on the cost of filling up. The Iran war has pushed petrol and diesel prices up sharply since the end of February.
Car sales overall were up 24% year-on-year, although that was against a weak April in 2025. Petrol powered cars still remain the most popular choice, with sales 8% higher in April, at 63,541. Diesel’s popularity continues to wane, as sales of new cars dropped another 1% to 6,341 in April.
Despite the SMMT revealing that April saw the two millionth electric car registered in the UK, it warned their share of the overall market was unlikely to reach levels set by the government.
And while it upped forecasts for new car sales this year to just under 2.1 million, it cut the projected market share for battery electric vehicles from 28.5% to 26.8%. The SMMT also forecast that their share would only grow to 32% next year, a long way short of the mandate target set for manufacturers.
“The Iran conflict adds further uncertainty, the full impact of which is yet to be seen, with rising interest in EVs potentially tempered by concern over inflation, higher energy prices and the resultant negative impact on the cost of living,” the SMMT said.
Mike Hawes, its chief executive, added: “Two million electric car registrations is a considerable milestone to celebrate, although natural demand is still well below the level demanded by the mandate.
“The mounting cost of compliance threatens to limit consumer choice, overall decarbonisation and the sector’s competitiveness so the need for a rapid review of the transition to align policy with market realities is unchanged, else Britain’s attractiveness as a vehicle market and manufacturing hub will be put at risk.”
Colin Walker, head of transport at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: “With prices at the pump rising as a result of war in the Middle East, it’s no surprise to see EV sales jumping 59% in April.
“Drivers are voting with their feet seeking to shield themselves from these sudden jumps in the oil price, and save hundreds – even thousands – of pounds a year in running costs.
“With more than a quarter of new cars sold now EVs this reduces the UK’s demand for oil boosting energy security, with electric cars increasingly powered by electricity generated in British wind and solar farms.
“Calls from parts of the car industry to slow down the UK’s switch to EVs risks leaving our car industry in the slow lane, our drivers worse off, and the UK less energy secure. This is another step on the road to achieving net zero emissions.”
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, said: “April’s figures suggest the new car market has maintained momentum beyond the March plate-change boost, which is an encouraging sign for the industry. While March typically does the heavy lifting, sustained demand into April points to underlying resilience among buyers, even as economic pressures remain.
“However, the market is still operating against a complex backdrop. Persistently high fuel prices, driven in part by ongoing tensions in the Middle East, are continuing to influence consumer decisions. That’s helping to accelerate interest in electric vehicles, as drivers look for more certainty over running costs. For many, the appeal of EVs is no longer just environmental, but increasingly financial.
“That said, affordability remains a key challenge. Higher borrowing costs and general household pressures mean many buyers are still weighing up whether to commit to a new vehicle or explore the used market instead.”
