Rocketing fuel prices have led to a surge in sales of electric cars, according to industry data. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that March saw the highest number of new car registrations since 2019, with a total of 380,627 vehicles hitting the road, marking a 6.6% increase from the previous year.
The rise in sales was primarily driven by electrified vehicles, reaching a record high of 196,059 units. Among these, battery electric cars saw a significant jump of 24%, with 86,120 registrations in the month. The top-selling model in March was the Jaecoo 7, a Chinese-made vehicle, marking the brand’s first time holding the leading position in the UK market.
Jaecoo, which entered the UK market in February 2025, experienced a remarkable 570% increase in sales compared to the previous year, with over 12,700 units sold, surpassing both Volvo and Tesla. The shift towards electric vehicles was evident, with plug-in hybrid cars witnessing a notable 46.9% sales growth.
Conversely, sales of petrol and diesel cars continued to decline, reflecting the ongoing trend towards electric and hybrid alternatives. The escalating prices of petrol and diesel, attributed to the Middle East crisis, have fueled interest in electric and hybrid vehicles as consumers seek to mitigate rising fuel costs.
Despite the surge in electric car sales, industry experts caution that more progress is needed to meet the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle mandate targets. Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, emphasized the importance of reviewing the transition to electric vehicles to align with sustainability goals.
The Department for Transport highlighted the growing adoption of electric vehicles, with over 86,000 new EVs sold in March alone. The Electric Car Grant aims to make EVs more affordable and accessible, offering incentives for drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles amidst global fuel price fluctuations.
