Renault 5 is a particularly big hit (Image: Getty)
Electric cars outsold petrol and hybrid models in October as British motorists embraced a new generation of affordable, stylish EVs amid rising fuel costs.
Almost one in three new cars registered in October was fully electric, according to figures from New AutoMotive, with sales surging 54% compared with the same month last year.
A total of 49,155 electric cars were registered, giving them a 31.8% share of the market and making them Britain’s most popular fuel type for the month.
More than 522,000 electric cars have now been registered in 2026, up 27.3% on last year, as greater choice, sharper prices and improved technology encourage more motorists to make the switch.
Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault UK, said the success of models such as the Renault 5 demonstrated that electric cars were increasingly winning over motorists on desirability as well as cost.
He said: “To persuade private motorists to switch to an electric car you must offer an EV that is desirable as well as practical and affordable.”
Wood pointed to the Renault 5’s striking design, colourful styling and technology as reasons for its popularity, adding that forthcoming models such as the Renault Twingo would help bring down the cost of going electric even further.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said: “Drivers are voting with their wallets. Every one of those new electric cars means a household spending less on running costs, and a country less exposed to the oil price shock.”
Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, added: “Drivers are voting with their feet, attracted by better choice, sharper prices and tech-packed cars.”
But campaigners warn that motorists without driveways are still being penalised by higher charging taxes.
Ginny Buckley, chief executive of Electrifying.com, said: “Drivers are paying more tax to power the same car, making the same journey, simply because of where they live. It’s a stealth tax on those without driveways, a tax on circumstance, not choice.”
Public charging attracts 20% VAT compared with 5% on domestic electricity, leaving drivers reliant on public chargers facing higher costs.
The latest figures also show electric car sales running ahead of the Government’s effective Zero Emission Vehicle mandate target, despite continuing debate over the pace of Britain’s transition to electric motoring.
Robin Heap, CEO, Zest (the charge point operator):
“Electric cars are becoming the first choice for more British drivers, and that’s great news. The transition must work for everyone, though, not just those with driveways. Making public charging more accessible and affordable is essential if we’re to turn this momentum into mass adoption.”
