Click to enlarge and see heated arguments.
The new car market in Britain grew 11.7% in July with 156,571 units registered, according to the latest data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Although compared with a relatively weak July last year [140,154 – AutoCrat], this marks an eighth consecutive month of growth. Therefore the market continues its longer-term recovery towards pre-Covid levels. [July 2019 – 157,198 – AutoCrat] Moreover, BEV registrations skyrocketed 44.5% [43,106 BEV, 23,359 PHEV] after quiet July 2025. [ 29,825 BEV, 17,489 PHEV – AutoCrat]*
“July’s record EV performance is a great achievement, reflecting industry’s huge investment in zero emission mobility. But that progress cannot be sustained if manufacturers continue hemorrhaging billions in EV discounts, distorting demand to avoid even steeper penalties. The sector’s commitment to decarbonisation is not in doubt but its ability to remain viable – and attract investment for an EV future – is under intense pressure. A sustainable transition will not happen merely by compelling supply when underlying demand is not keeping pace despite year-on-year growth. We need urgent reform of the regulation, else Britain risks undermining its competitiveness and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on this industry,” claimed. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
Well, with Europe and England melting, burning and experiencing droughts as the pernicious results of Climate Change, something is clearly going have to be done – now! This means more non-fossil fueled vehicles. Enter the next round of, well, heated debates. The age old problem here is WHO PAYS. AutoInformed votes for shared costs, and is wary of subsidies to industries that are literally destroying life on planet earth. There is some room for nuance, although Britain’s revolving door of Prime Ministers, and the near suicide by Brexit policies to withdraw from a collective union in AutoInformed’s view makes the future grim for inhabitants of Old Blighty. This is a global war that needs to be won by all with shared costs and burdens.
July Sales Highlights in SMMT’s View
Demand grew across all sectors, with private buyer uptake rising 12.6%, fleet deliveries up 9.5% – representing six in 10 (59.9%) registrations – and the lower-volume business segment up 61.3%.
- Growth was driven by electrified vehicle uptake, with plug-in hybrids up 33.6% to take a 14.9% share of the market, and hybrids up 11.6% to account for 13.2%. Battery electric cars (BEVs) achieved another record volume for the month, up 44.5% – compared with a sub-par July 2025 when some buyers delayed switching until confirmation of full model eligibility for the Electric Car Grant (ECG) – to claim a 27.5% share.
- The latest industry outlook now expects BEVs to reach 27.4% of a 2.18 million-strong market by year end – up from a 26.8% share in April’s outlook but still far short of the 33% mandate target.
- Longer term, BEV share is expected to rise to 32.1% in 2027 against a target of 38%. This is despite an ever-expanding number of brands and models, manufacturer subsidies, government incentives and an ongoing backdrop of high fuel prices. The outlook reflects manufacturer views submitted prior to the end of ECG eligibility for demonstrator and courtesy cars in mid-July. Given these vehicles currently account for around 10% of BEV registrations, and around four in ten BEV registrations are delivered by ECG eligible models, the change could impact future performance.
- While mandate flexibilities are helping bridge some of the gap between natural demand and ambition, they do not come without cost and their value will diminish as targets accelerate.
- The shortfall continues to be addressed by significant discounting, marketing and other fiscal support from industry and government – costs which are causing manufacturers to pause or even divert investment, while weakening residual values, damaging profitability and costing jobs.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
SMMT – Battery Electric Cars Sales Set Record in England!
Click to enlarge and see heated arguments.
The new car market in Britain grew 11.7% in July with 156,571 units registered, according to the latest data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Although compared with a relatively weak July last year [140,154 – AutoCrat], this marks an eighth consecutive month of growth. Therefore the market continues its longer-term recovery towards pre-Covid levels. [July 2019 – 157,198 – AutoCrat] Moreover, BEV registrations skyrocketed 44.5% [43,106 BEV, 23,359 PHEV] after quiet July 2025. [ 29,825 BEV, 17,489 PHEV – AutoCrat]*
“July’s record EV performance is a great achievement, reflecting industry’s huge investment in zero emission mobility. But that progress cannot be sustained if manufacturers continue hemorrhaging billions in EV discounts, distorting demand to avoid even steeper penalties. The sector’s commitment to decarbonisation is not in doubt but its ability to remain viable – and attract investment for an EV future – is under intense pressure. A sustainable transition will not happen merely by compelling supply when underlying demand is not keeping pace despite year-on-year growth. We need urgent reform of the regulation, else Britain risks undermining its competitiveness and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on this industry,” claimed. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
Well, with Europe and England melting, burning and experiencing droughts as the pernicious results of Climate Change, something is clearly going have to be done – now! This means more non-fossil fueled vehicles. Enter the next round of, well, heated debates. The age old problem here is WHO PAYS. AutoInformed votes for shared costs, and is wary of subsidies to industries that are literally destroying life on planet earth. There is some room for nuance, although Britain’s revolving door of Prime Ministers, and the near suicide by Brexit policies to withdraw from a collective union in AutoInformed’s view makes the future grim for inhabitants of Old Blighty. This is a global war that needs to be won by all with shared costs and burdens.
July Sales Highlights in SMMT’s View
Demand grew across all sectors, with private buyer uptake rising 12.6%, fleet deliveries up 9.5% – representing six in 10 (59.9%) registrations – and the lower-volume business segment up 61.3%.
*AutoInformed on
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.