UK EV Fleet Sales 2025: Record September and Top 10 Electric Models

The UK electric vehicle market hit new heights in September 2025, driven by fresh government incentives, fleet demand and the new 75-plate launch.

According to SMMT, 72,779 new battery-electric cars were registered, a 29% year-on-year jump and a 23.3% market share — the highest ever recorded.

Overall, UK new-car registrations rose 13.7% to 312,887 units, making it the strongest September since 2020.

More than half of those were electrified vehicles, confirming the UK’s accelerating shift toward fleet electrification.

“Electrified vehicles are powering market growth after a sluggish summer,”

said Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT.

⚡ Top 10 Best-Selling Electric Cars in the UK (September 2025)

| Rank | EV Model | Registrations (est.) |

|------|-----------|---------------------:|

| 1 | Tesla Model Y | ~5,000 |

| 2 | Ford Puma Gen-E | ~4,000 |

| 3 | Tesla Model 3 | ~3,000 |

| 4 | BYD Seal U | ~3,000 |

| 5 | MG4 EV | ~2,000 |

| 6 | Volvo EX30 | ~1,800 |

| 7 | Hyundai Kona Electric | ~1,500 |

| 8 | Kia Niro EV | ~1,400 |

| 9 | Vauxhall Corsa Electric | ~1,200 |

| 10 | Volkswagen ID.3 | ~1,100 |

Tesla maintained its leadership thanks to strong fleet and retail deliveries of the Model Y and Model 3.

Ford’s Puma Gen-E, backed by the full £3,750 Electric Car Grant, became the fastest-growing fleet EV.

The BYD Seal U marked a turning point — a Chinese-built SUV entering the UK top 10, popular with value-driven company car buyers.

For more comparative specs and fleet TCO data, visit our Fleet Savings Calculator and EV Fleet Audit Express.

🧭 Fleet Electrification Trends and Corporate Uptake

Fleet and business buyers now account for nearly 75% of all UK EV registrations year-to-date.

In September 2025, corporate registrations (all fuel types) climbed 17% YoY to 181,887 vehicles — 58% of the total market.

Fleet-preferred EVs include:

• Tesla Model Y – leading in range and reliability
• Ford Puma Gen-E – new crossover eligible for full grant
• BYD Seal U and MG4 EV – cost-effective company car options

With Benefit-in-Kind (BiK) rates frozen at 3% until 2028, electric company cars offer massive savings versus ICE vehicles.

High-rate taxpayers can save up to £3,000 per year in BiK and fuel combined — a decisive factor in fleet electrification strategies.

🚐 Electric Van and e-LCV Sales Surge

Electric vans also delivered a milestone month:

• 3,996 new e-LCVs registered (second-highest month on record)
• Popular fleet models: Ford E-Transit, Vauxhall Vivaro-e, Peugeot e-Expert
• 111 electric HGVs sold — a new record for heavy fleet electrification

This trend shows how last-mile logistics and service fleets are now part of the UK’s zero-emission transition.

Explore real-world charging and energy costs for vans in our Charging Cost Index.

📈 Month-on-Month and Year-on-Year EV Sales

| Period | BEV Registrations | Market Share |

|---------|------------------:|--------------:|

| Sept 2024 | 56,387 | 20.5% |

| Aug 2025 | 21,969 | 26.5% |

| Sept 2025 | 72,779 | 23.3% |

The September plate-change effect and Electric Car Grant reintroduction boosted fleet orders dramatically.

EVs now represent 22% of all UK car sales YTD, slightly short of the 28% ZEV-mandate target, but momentum remains strong.

💡 Why UK Fleet Managers Are Accelerating EV Adoption

1️⃣ Benefit-in-Kind Savings

EV BiK rates at 3% (vs. up to 37% for petrol) make electric company cars a financial win.

Salary-sacrifice schemes combined with BiK savings can cut monthly lease costs by 40–50%.

2️⃣ Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

EVs deliver lower running costs — typically £1,500 per year saved on fuel and maintenance.

Maintenance intervals are longer, and downtime is lower, improving fleet productivity.

3️⃣ Electric Car Grant (ECG)

The new £1,500–£3,750 Electric Car Grant has supported over 20,000 UK buyers since July 2025.

Fleet-qualified models like the Ford Puma Gen-E and Nissan Leaf benefit most.

Check upcoming eligible models in our Policy Pulse.

4️⃣ Model Variety & Pricing

Over 140 EV models are available in the UK, with average prices down 14% YoY.

Chinese brands such as BYD and MG are reshaping the fleet value segment.

5️⃣ Infrastructure Readiness

The UK now counts 85,000+ public charge points, with one added every 30 minutes.

Government funds (£381 m local charging schemes) and VAT alignment proposals will further reduce operational energy costs.

🔍 Final Take: EV Fleets Are Now Mainstream

September 2025 marks the UK’s EV fleet inflection point.

Corporate demand, favourable taxation, and diverse model choice have turned EVs from pilot projects into mainstream fleet assets.

The challenge ahead? Maintaining this pace — meeting ZEV-mandate quotas while ensuring charging, grid readiness, and residual values align with rapid adoption.

For fleet managers, the opportunity is clear:

Switching to electric is no longer a risk — it’s a competitive advantage.

Sources:

SMMT, Fleet News, AM Online, Electrifying.com, The Guardian, Reuters, Auto Express, GB News, Carwow.