Sales of Electric Vehicles Just Overtook Petrol Cars for the First Time

Sales of Electric Vehicles Just Overtook Petrol Cars for the First Time marks the UK’s first 12-month period in which more new EVs were sold than petrol cars, based on Carbon Brief analysis of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) data. For the 12 months to May 2026, UK consumers bought 516,490 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) versus 504,010 new petrol cars. The shift arrives amid debate over the UK’s zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) mandate, with industry and some unions arguing targets should be weakened. EV demand has grown consistently, while petrol sales fell 14% in May 2026 to 35,068. Hybrids remain the most popular, at 56,321 sold in May 2026 (+2%). Globally, EV sales rose 20% in 2025 and are forecast by the IEA to grow another 15% in 2026.