Transactions of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) grew by 32.0% to 86,943 units, as nearly one in 23 buyers (4.3%) made the switch, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The figures, which are up from around one in 30 for 2025, come as a large choice of new zero emission vehicles in every segment are filtering into the used market in greater numbers.
Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales rose by 27.6% to 128,039 units, increasing their market share to 6.4%, while plug-in hybrid (PHEV) transactions fell by -8.9% to 20,021 units, comprising 1.0% of the market. Combined, electrified vehicles accounted for 11.7% of used cars finding new owners in the first quarter.
Overall, the UK’s used car market was flat during the first quarter of the year, down just -0.2% as 2,016,232 vehicles changed hands. Petrol transactions fell by 0.6% to 1,147,969 units, while diesel demand experienced a 6.7% decline to 629,987 units.
Given used vehicles are the most accessible route into motoring for many consumers, conditions that stimulate fleet renewal are key. The average age of the UK vehicle parc now stands at a new high of 9.7 years – up from eight years in 2019 – so a healthy new car market is crucial for generating second-hand supply, notably with the latest electric models, it added.
While the latest industry new car outlook expects the market to rise 3.6% to 2.093 million this year, BEV share has been downgraded to 26.8%, from 28.5%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:
“The UK’s used car market remained flat in the first quarter, held back by weakness in March in comparison with a very strong performance in 2025. Better news is the record demand for used electric vehicles, as growing choice from manufacturers feeds through into the second-hand market.
“High fuel prices, given the conflict in Iran, may increase demand even further, but to maintain this momentum, every fiscal and policy lever must be pulled to ensure a healthy new car market that delivers zero emission vehicles that can in future flow through to the used market.”
Image courtesy of Green Car Guide