EV sales surge in September – is the electric car grant working better than expected?

EV sales have hit an all-time high in the UK, with drivers snapping up thousands of new cars in September. In fact, it was the best-ever month for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), with 72,779 registrations – a 29% rise on last year, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Industry leaders say much of the boom is down to the government’s new Electric Car Grant (ECG), which offers buyers up to £3,750 off selected models. Since launching in the summer, more than 20,000 people have already claimed the discount.

“Our discounts have sparked a surge in electric car sales, making them cheaper and within reach of more households than ever before,” said transport secretary, Heidi Alexander. “By cutting costs for families we’re supporting industry, backing British jobs, and powering up growth.”

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More choice, lower prices

Right now, 37 models qualify for the grant. Models from household names such as Ford, Nissan, Vauxhall, and Citroen are among the list, with more expected soon. These cars have seen demand soar, with some models enjoying a 118% increase in enquiries.

And it’s just not new EVs that are becoming more affordable. Used electric car prices have dropped by over 20% since last year, while the price gap between new petrol and electric cars has narrowed by 14%. The difference now averages £8,229 – that’s still significant, but shrinking fast.

On top of the upfront discounts, EV drivers can save up to £1,500 a year on fuel and running costs compared to petrol cars, according to government figures. There’s also a target in the UK for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) to make up 28% of new car sales by the end of 2025.

Tackling charging concerns

To ease worries about charging, the government says Britain now has more than 85,000 public charging points – with one being added every half hour. A further 100,000 are planned through a £381m local infrastructure fund.

Another £63m is being invested in new charging solutions, including pavement-to-home connections, which could allow some drivers to run their EVs for as little as 2p per mile.

A growing shift in buying behaviour

Industry experts say the electric car grant is giving hesitant buyers the final push they need.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said the grant is making electric driving a realistic option for thousands more drivers, with more than 140 EV models now available, from small city cars to family SUVs.

Carwow’s CEO, John Veichmanis, added: “Since the scheme launched, EV enquiries on our platform have doubled. The grant is transforming curiosity into action, encouraging drivers to try an electric car for the first time – and once they do, most never look back.”

With the UK aiming to phase out petrol and diesel car sales by 2030, the surge suggests more drivers are ready to make the switch. This is helped along by thousands of pounds in savings and a fast-expanding charging network.

Here are the top models sold in September and a year to date, according to the latest SMMT figures:

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