The UK's electric vehicle market showed remarkable resilience in April 2025, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) cars defying a broader market downturn and electric van registrations surging dramatically, according to the latest figures released by New AutoMotive.
While the overall new car market experienced a predictable cooling-off period, shrinking by 14.3% compared to April 2024 following a rush to register vehicles before Vehicle Excise Duty (VED) changes took effect at the start of the month, pure electric cars powered ahead. BEV registrations climbed 3.7% year-on-year, reaching 24,043 units. This performance secured electric cars a significant 20.4% share of the total market, up from 16.9% in the same month last year.
The growth is particularly notable given the removal of the VED exemption for new BEVs from 1st April, suggesting that underlying factors like lower running costs and environmental concerns continue to drive consumer adoption. The year-to-date figures further underscore this trend, with 143,048 new BEVs registered in the first four months of 2025 – a robust 31.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, capturing a 20.7% cumulative market share.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also enjoyed a strong month, with registrations jumping 29.1% to capture an 11.7% market share. Conventional hybrids (HEVs) saw a modest 6.3% rise but remained the largest powertrain segment by volume, accounting for 32.4% of all new cars registered.
In stark contrast, the decline of traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles accelerated sharply. Petrol car registrations plummeted by 37.0%, while diesel registrations fell by 24.3% compared to April 2024. This continues the long-term trend away from fossil-fuelled vehicles.
Shifting Tides in the BEV Brand Race
April highlighted intensifying competition within the BEV car segment. While some established players saw year-on-year declines – including Tesla (-62%), BMW (-47%), Mercedes-Benz (-40%), Volvo (-47%), and MG (-60%) – others posted significant gains. Volkswagen led the monthly charge with 2,314 BEV registrations, a remarkable 194% increase. Skoda (+153%), Ford (+260%), Peugeot (+210%), Renault (+329%), and new entrant BYD (+311%) also recorded impressive growth, demonstrating the dynamic nature of the current market. Despite a weaker April, Tesla still holds the top spot for year-to-date BEV registrations.
Electric Vans Lead the Charge
The standout story for April, however, was the light commercial vehicle sector. While the overall van market declined by 17.4%, mirroring the car market's dip, electric van registrations boomed, surging by an impressive 102.6% compared to April 2024. This resulted in 1,704 new electric vans hitting UK roads, pushing their market share to 9.2%, more than double the 3.9% seen a year ago. The surge was contrasted by a 24.4% fall in diesel van registrations.
This rapid growth is being fuelled by the crucial extension of the Plug-in Van Grant until 2026 and a growing recognition among businesses of the favourable Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) compared to diesel, particularly for urban operations impacted by Clean Air Zones. Volkswagen (+275%) and Peugeot (+1,779%) saw huge gains in electric van registrations for the month. Year-to-date, Ford leads electric van registrations, closely followed by Volkswagen and Vauxhall.
“Amid a dip in car sales following a pre-tax change March hype, electric cars powered through, growing sales and capturing one in five registrations,” commented Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive. “Even with tighter budgets, drivers are choosing electric for the savings and the drive. The momentum is undeniable and consumer demand is strong.”
He added, “Electric vans stole the show in April, with registrations doubling (+102.6%) as diesel sales nosedived. Businesses get it – EVs save money. The ZEV mandate is delivering across the board for businesses and consumers, and stimulating billions of investment in new charge points.”
Mandate Progress and Other Segments
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which sets increasing targets for manufacturers' EV sales percentages, continues to shape the market. Based on New AutoMotive's analysis incorporating CO2 credit estimates, the ‘real' market-wide ZEV target for cars currently stands at 22.37%. Several major groups, including VW, BMW, Geely (Volvo/Polestar), SAIC (MG), BYD, and Tesla, are currently tracking ahead of their individual targets, while others like Stellantis, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan have ground to make up. In the van market (16% target for 2025 ), Stellantis, VW, and Nissan are currently showing a surplus, whereas Ford faces a significant deficit.
Progress in electrifying heavier vehicles and two-wheelers remains slower. Electric HGV registrations dipped slightly in April (-20.0% YoY), with infrastructure development seen as key to unlocking growth. Electric motorbikes also continued to struggle (-37.2% YoY), hampered by the lack of dedicated purchase incentives.
“Looking at electric vehicle data for the month of April, it’s clear to see that drivers are determined to get behind the wheel and drive the latest tech, with the lowest emissions,” said Simon Smith, Chief Commercial Officer, InstaVolt, the UK’s largest ultra rapid CPO. “This confidence is helped by the continued roll out of world class charging infrastructure, like the InstaVolt Winchester Superhub. The trend is clear, consumers love EVs.”
“In a week dominated by anti net zero press narratives and criticism of renewables by both Reform and the Conservatives, the stellar rise in EV sales in April suggests that on the ground consumers are listening to a different narrative,” said Quentin Willson, Founder FairCharge. “Britain leads Europe in both EV sales and environmental thought leadership. The buying behaviour of consumers is a solid rejection of fossil fuel misinformation and a clear signal that the lower running costs, increased reliability and improved air quality from EVs is preferable to petrol and diesel. We need to listen to the market rather than pundits or politicians.”
Overall, April's figures paint a picture of an accelerating transition, particularly in the van sector, driven by supportive policy and compelling economics, even amidst wider market fluctuations.
Discussion about this post