Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers face challenges in gaining significant market share during August's expanding EV sector growth

The electric vehicle (EV) market in the UK witnessed a notable surge in August 2025, with a 10.3% year-on-year increase in battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations. A total of 21,403 BEVs were registered during the month, according to the latest data.

Several manufacturers experienced significant growth, with Škoda leading the pack. The brand's success with the Enyaq and new Elroq has resulted in a 132% increase in sales, pushing the total number of vehicles sold to 14,074. This growth has put Škoda on course to overtake Kia in EV sales.

Volkswagen also saw a substantial increase, with EV registrations more than doubling (+122%) to 22,198. The German automaker, along with Ford, completed the top three, with Ford's EV sales significantly increasing as well.

However, not all manufacturers enjoyed the same success. Volvo and Peugeot were among August's biggest losers, with a 45% and 41% decrease in sales, respectively. MG, once the UK's EV value champion, also saw a 38% year-on-year drop in sales, with 646 units registered.

BMW is narrowing the gap in EV sales, while Renault is under pressure to meet its revised 10.81% target. Despite new R4 and R5 models, Renault's registrations only increased by 25% to 646 cars.

Tesla maintained the top spot with 3,203 registrations, but its market share slipped to 15%. Tesla has registered 28,163 cars in 2025 so far, leading the market, but its rivals are gaining ground.

The UK government's Electric Car Grant is expected to boost EV registrations further in September, due to the registration plate change and the first effects of the incentive. The shift in the market is primarily driven by Ford's strong sales growth and Tesla's market share decline linked to the end of certain incentives and rising competition.

The top-3 electric car manufacturers by market share in September 2025 are likely to be Ford, followed by other leading brands such as Volkswagen or Nissan, with Tesla falling behind. However, precise rankings for that month are not explicitly detailed in the available data.

Citroën failed to break into the top 20, despite offering Electric Car Grant-eligible models. Dacia's bargain-priced Spring sold only 352 units in August 2025.

Many buyers are holding off for a broader range of offerings before committing to a purchase, as some brands are still awaiting official approval. The upcoming months are expected to bring more competition and choices for consumers, potentially leading to further growth in the UK's electric vehicle market.