Electric · Wales
August new-car registrations rise as electric share nears three in 10
SMMT says the UK market grew in a traditionally quiet month, while battery-electric cars took 29.8% of registrations; September volumes will give a clearer view of demand.
New-car registrations rose 13.7% year on year to 94,236 in August, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which said the result marked the ninth consecutive month of UK market growth.
August is normally a low-volume month before the September number-plate change, so the trade body cautioned that the next set of figures will provide a more representative test of demand. Private registrations rose 19.0%, fleet registrations increased 10.1%, and the business sector grew 14.5%, SMMT said.
Battery-electric vehicles accounted for 29.8% of August registrations after rising 27.7% to 28,063 units. SMMT said lower August volumes can amplify percentage shifts; battery-electric vehicles represented 25.6% of registrations across the first eight months of 2026.
Plug-in hybrids rose 39.8% to 14.5% of the month’s market and hybrid-electric vehicles increased 26.3% to 12.7%, while petrol registrations fell 3.5%, according to the figures.
For people in Wales considering a new car, the UK-wide data is an indicator of choice and demand rather than a measure of Welsh registrations. SMMT said more than 170 zero-emission models are available across market segments, while calling for continued consumer support and accessible public charging.
The body said the year-to-date battery-electric share remained below the 33% headline ZEV Mandate target for 2026 and welcomed the UK Government’s review of the mandate. That is SMMT’s position; the figures do not establish the outcome of the review.
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