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November noticed plugin EVs take 38.4% share of the UK auto market, up from 35.3% year-on-year. BEVs grew in quantity by simply 3.6% YoY, whereas PHEVs grew 15%. General auto quantity was 151,154 items, down some 2% YoY. Tesla was the UK’s main BEV model for the month.
November’s gross sales totals noticed mixed plugin EVs take 38.4% share of the UK auto market, with full electrics (BEVs) taking 26.4%, and plugin hybrids (PHEVs) taking 11.9%. These evaluate with YoY shares of 35.3% mixed, 25.1% BEV, and 10.2% PHEV.
The mixed results of the reintroduction of modest buy incentives for extra inexpensive BEVs, plus the present ZEV mandate, imply that the EV transition is in comparatively good well being within the UK in comparison with some European neighbours.
The YoY development in share in November was considerably modest, primarily as a result of within the baseline month (November 2024) producers had been taking part in meet up with their BEV volumes, making an attempt to fulfill the primary 12 months ZEV necessities, and keep away from fines. This time round, most have presumably discovered tips on how to meet the requirement extra steadily, and we received’t possible see such an enormous final minute rush.
Most producers may also be balancing some want for a BEV gross sales push (to fulfill 2025 targets) while holding again any “greater than required” BEV gross sales till early subsequent 12 months. It will then assist them get a headstart on the tighter mandate goal for 2026 (“33%” vs “28%” for 2025).
The proposed road-tax scheme of three pence per mile on BEVs remains to be in session, and anyway won’t be applied earlier than April 2028 (even when it goes forward). That is subsequently unlikely to have an effect on the tempo of the UK’s EV transition within the close to time period.
In December, combustion-only powertrains’ mixed share was 48.5%, the third consecutive month below half of the market (see graph under). Mixed share could creep again above 50% in H1 2026, however must be completely under 50% by H2 2026 and thereafter.
Finest-Promoting BEV Manufacturers
Tesla was again to quantity in November (following a quiet October), and led the model rankings with 9.4% of the UK BEV market.
Final month’s chief, Ford was pushed again to second in November, simply forward of BYD in third (each on 7.8% share).

Aside from Tesla’s ordinary feast-or-famine sample, there have been few vital modifications within the prime 20 rankings. On the backside of the desk, Jaecoo stepped again into the highest 20, and its sibling model, Omoda, stepped out.
It’s attention-grabbing to notice that a number of of the best-selling fashions now begin at or under (typically effectively under) the £30,000 worth level. These embrace prime 12 fashions just like the Renault 5, Ford Puma, Skoda Elroq, BYD Dolphin and Dolphin Surf, and Vauxhall Frontera. All of those are able to promoting near 1,000 items per thirty days (or extra).
Let’s now examine the trailing-3-month rankings:
Having been shut a month in the past, Ford has now taken the lead from Tesla. With a robust December push, Tesla will possible quickly take the lead as soon as extra. Ford has additionally been pushing laborious since September to fulfill the ZEV requirement, so that is possible a brief lead solely.
BYD is now in third place, forward of the Volkswagen model. Volkswagen has been erratic within the UK, typically in second place for sure quarters, then going fairly quiet in different quarters. This inconsistency just isn’t reassuring.
Having assiduously delayed providing severe BEVs for nearly a decade (not till the ID.3 in 2019, virtually a decade after the Nissan Leaf), it is likely to be Karmic justice to see BYD (lengthy dedicated to plugins) overtake Volkswagen within the UK.
Outlook
The UK’s ZEV mandate and the brand new BEV incentive imply that the nation is now making regular progress within the EV transition. Not as quick as many people anticipated a decade in the past, however at the very least shifting decently in the proper path.
On the broader financial entrance, the UK is experiencing subdued situations. 12 months-on-year GDP development declined barely to 1.3% within the third quarter, down from 1.4% in Q2. Inflation softened from 3.6% in October to three.2% in November, whereas rates of interest dipped from 4.0% to three.75%. There was a modest restoration in manufacturing pre-orders, with PMI rising to 50.2 in November, from 49.7 in October
What are your ideas on the UK’s EV transition? Do you see the Tesla Mannequin Y sustaining its dominant place, or may extra accessible fashions just like the Renault 5, the BYDs, and Fords start to overhaul inside the subsequent couple of years? Please share your concepts within the feedback under.
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