March 2026 has delivered a standout moment for the UK automotive market, with new car registrations reaching their highest level since 2019 and electric vehicles firmly at the centre of that growth.

The SMMT reports 380,627 new cars were registered, up 6.6% year-on-year, this year’s plate change month has not only boosted overall volumes but reinforced a clear trend, the shift to electric is accelerating.

Real Consumer Demand

What makes this growth particularly encouraging is where it’s coming from.

Private registrations rose by over 10%, showing that everyday drivers are increasingly confident in switching to electric, not just fleets or early adopters. Fleet demand also remained strong, alongside notable growth in the business sector.

This balance is important. EV transition depends on both commercial and personal adoption, and March’s figures show momentum building across the board.

Record-Breaking Month for Electric Vehicles

March wasn’t just a good month, it was a record-breaking one for electric vehicles.

Nearly 200,000 electrified vehicles were registered, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid and hybrid models. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) alone saw a 24.2% increase, reaching over 86,000 registrations — the highest monthly figure ever recorded.

Plug-in hybrids also saw significant growth, while hybrid vehicles continue to play an important role in supporting drivers transitioning toward fully electric driving.

Together, these figures highlight one thing clearly: electric is no longer niche, it’s mainstream.

While EV market share currently sits at around 22–23%, below the long-term ZEV mandate target, the direction of travel is undeniable.

In fact, what’s most encouraging is that growth is happening despite a number of well-documented challenges, including higher energy costs and ongoing global uncertainty.

This tells us something important:

• Demand for EVs is real and growing
• Drivers are actively choosing electric when the right options are available
• The market is proving resilient, even in less-than-perfect conditions

From our perspective, that’s incredibly positive.

What This Means for Drivers and Businesses

For our customers at Lease Electric, this milestone reflects what we’re seeing every day.

Businesses are continuing to electrify their fleets as part of long-term sustainability strategies, while drivers are becoming more informed, more confident, and more open to making the switch.

Crucially, leasing is playing a key role in this transition helping to remove barriers like upfront cost and giving customers access to the latest EV technology in a flexible, cost-effective way.

To find out more about our Climate Positive Leasing Service and how we can support you, your business or your employees to Go Electric, contact us!