Britain's Electric Vehicle Surge Is Now Fueled by China | Carscoops

      BYD and other Chinese automakers are leading record electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK, transforming the market.

      BYD achieved a record 11,271 car sales in the UK, marking an 880 percent increase.

      Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) have secured a 22.1 percent share of the market.

      Sales of plug-in hybrids rose by 56.4 percent in September.

      EV sales in the UK are increasing, largely due to the booming demand for vehicles from Chinese brands like BYD. The sales of plug-in hybrids and traditional hybrids are also experiencing significant growth, resulting in total electrified vehicle sales surpassing the combined figures for petrol and diesel cars last month.

      In September, 72,779 new battery-electric vehicles were registered, reflecting a 29.1 percent rise from the 56,387 units sold in the same month last year.

      The upward trend has continued throughout the year, with a total of 349,414 BEVs sold so far, representing a 29.4 percent increase year-on-year. This surge has propelled electric vehicles to command a substantial 22.1 percent share of the UK's new car market, up from 17.8 percent a year prior.

      Demand for plug-in hybrids has surged notably, with PHEV sales reaching 38,308 units in September, a 56.4 percent increase, and year-to-date figures hitting 172,639, securing a 10.9 percent market share.

      Sales of regular hybrid models also grew, up 23.5 percent in September and 8.6 percent for the year, totaling 222,669 units. This consistent growth across all electrified vehicle categories indicates that consumers are increasingly receptive to alternative powertrains, even if they are not yet ready to fully transition to electric.

      As the electric vehicle trend rises, traditional fuel vehicles are losing traction. From January to September, petrol vehicle sales fell by 8.2 percent to 749,794 units, and diesel sales dropped even more dramatically, down 14.3 percent to 83,656.

      BYD has been a key player in this electrified momentum, with its presence in the UK expanding significantly. In September, the brand sold 11,271 cars, achieving an impressive 880 percent increase compared to the same month last year.

      Throughout the first nine months of 2025, BYD has sold 35,000 vehicles in the UK, capturing a 2.2 percent market share, making the UK its largest single market outside of China.

      To illustrate BYD’s performance this year, it sold only 5,260 vehicles in the UK during the first three quarters of 2024.

      MG, another Chinese brand with a firm presence in the UK, also saw impressive results, with September sales climbing 62.71 percent to 14,577 units, while year-to-date growth stands at 4.11 percent, totaling 65,394 vehicles.

      Other new Chinese automakers such as Changan, Chery, Jaecoo, Leapmotor, and Omoda have also experienced rising sales, underscoring the increasing impact of Chinese automakers in the UK market.

      Tesla's sales remained stable, increasing by 4.4 percent in September to 7,993 vehicles compared to 7,656 in the same month last year. However, year-to-date sales have dropped by 3.4 percent to 36,160 units.