Overview
- SMMT data show new‑car registrations rose 7.1% in May 2026 to 160,662 units, the strongest May total since 2019.
- Battery electric vehicle registrations jumped 34.2% year‑on‑year to about 43,931 units, giving BEVs roughly 27.3% of the market for the month.
- The May uplift was led by a 17% rebound in private buyers and by wider model choice, manufacturer discounting and the Government’s Electric Car Grant.
- Despite the monthly surge, BEVs account for 23.9% of year‑to‑date sales, short of the 33% ZEV mandate for 2026, and the SMMT has called for an urgent review of the transition pathway.
- Chinese entrants such as Chery, Jaecoo, Omoda and BYD have taken substantial share by undercutting prices, reshaping brand rankings and increasing competitive pressure on legacy makers.