March 2026 delivered the biggest month for electric vehicles in UK automotive history. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 86,120 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were registered in March, a 24.2% year-on-year increase and the highest monthly total ever recorded. Electrified vehicles as a whole, including plug-in hybrids and hybrids, made up more than half of all new car registrations for the month.
The wider new car market performed strongly too, with 380,627 registrations, up 6.6% year on year. That made it the best March, and the best single month, since 2019. Growth was driven mainly by private buyers, with retail registrations climbing 10.1%.
Despite these record numbers, the sector is running well behind the government's mandated targets, and the debate over whether those targets are achievable is now one of the most talked-about topics in the UK car industry.
What Is the ZEV Mandate?
The Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate is the UK government's framework for accelerating the switch to electric vehicles. Under it, a rising percentage of all new cars sold by each manufacturer must be zero emission every year. Targets climb to 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans by 2030, and 100% by 2035.
For 2026, the target is 33%, meaning one in three new cars registered must be a battery electric vehicle. Manufacturers who miss their individual targets face fines of £15,000 per car short of the required number, or they can buy compliance credits from manufacturers who exceed their targets.
The Numbers Do Not Yet Add Up
Despite the record March, BEVs took just 22.6% of the market for the month and 22.4% year to date. Against a 33% target, the shortfall is substantial and still growing. In 2025, EVs reached a record market share of 23.4%, which was still below that year's 28% target.
The SMMT has called for an urgent review of the mandate, arguing the targets were set on assumptions that no longer reflect reality. It points out that battery costs are running 30% higher than predicted in 2021, while public charging and manufacturing costs have also risen, and EVs have not yet reached price parity with petrol and diesel equivalents.
SMMT Director General Mike Hawes said natural market demand alone will not deliver the rapid rise in market share these targets require.
The Government's Position
The government is not yet ready to soften the targets. The Minister for Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation confirmed a formal review of the ZEV Mandate will take place, but pointed to early 2027 as the right timing, allowing more data to be gathered first.
At the same time, new data on the Vehicle Emissions Trading Schemes (VETS) shows manufacturers met their 2024 compliance obligations. That was achieved not through EV sales alone, but through a mix of CO2 credit trading, reduced emissions from petrol and diesel models, and forward borrowing built into the system. Officials argue this shows the mandate is working as intended.
What This Means for EV Drivers Right Now
While the policy debate continues, the day-to-day picture for EV drivers is improving. In January 2026 the Department for Transport launched the 'Get That Electric Feeling' campaign, highlighting savings of up to £3,750 off the price of a new EV through the Electric Car Grant, plus potential savings of up to £1,400 a year on fuel and maintenance.
The UK's public charging network now has over 87,000 charge points, with a government commitment to deliver another 100,000 local public chargers in the coming years.
From 1 April 2026, the threshold for the Expensive Car Supplement (often called the luxury car tax) rose from £40,000 to £50,000 for electric vehicles. EVs priced under £50,000 are now exempt from the extra £440 a year charge, and the change applies retrospectively to EVs registered from April 2025. For drivers with EVs priced between £40,000 and £50,000, that is a saving of up to £2,200 over five years.
What Does This Mean for Charging Infrastructure?
As more electric cars reach UK roads, demand for reliable, convenient charging keeps growing, at home and in public.
For businesses such as hotels, golf clubs, restaurants and workplaces, the case for installing EV charging has never been stronger. One in four new car registrations was already a battery electric vehicle in February 2026, and that share is expected to keep rising.
At Plug In Stations, we help businesses and homeowners stay ahead of demand with professional home charging and commercial charging installation across the UK.
Get ahead of the demand
