UK Motorists Turn Increasingly Towards Electric and Hybrid Vehicles.

Jaecoo 7

Britain’s automotive industry has recorded another month of growth, with new vehicle registrations increasing by 5.4 per cent in October 2026. Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 152,730 new cars were registered during the month, marking the 11th consecutive month of growth in the UK market.

Electric vehicles were among the biggest contributors to the growth. Battery-electric cars accounted for 32 per cent of all new registrations, with 48,858 vehicles sold during October. This represented a 32.7 per cent increase compared with the same month last year. More than 500,000 fully electric cars have now been registered in Britain during 2026.

The competition between vehicle manufacturers is also becoming increasingly interesting. The Jaecoo 7 emerged as Britain’s bestselling new car in October, with 3,412 registrations, narrowly ahead of the Ford Puma, which recorded 3,369. The Volkswagen Golf, MINI Countryman and Kia Sportage also appeared among the month’s leading models.

Industry figures suggest that attractive discounts, zero-interest financing arrangements and a wider selection of electric models are encouraging more motorists to consider changing their vehicles. Petrol and diesel registrations continued to decline during October, while plug-in hybrid vehicles also recorded stronger demand.

Despite the positive figures, the industry still faces challenges surrounding vehicle affordability, charging infrastructure and consumer confidence. Nevertheless, the latest results show that Britain’s car market is continuing to evolve, with electric vehicles becoming an increasingly important part of the country’s motoring future.