Britain is currently on track to fall short of its government targets for net zero emissions from new cars, despite recent gains in electric vehicle (EV) market share. In June, battery electric vehicles accounted for 30% of new car registrations, marking the highest monthly share so far this year. Over the first half of 2026, EVs made up 25% of all new car sales, reflecting a continuing upward trend.

However, these figures remain below the government’s Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, which requires that 33% of new cars sold in 2026 be zero-emission models. To meet this target by the end of the year, EVs would need to represent more than 40% of all new registrations for the remainder of 2026, indicating a need for significant acceleration in adoption.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), pointed to ongoing substantial investments by manufacturers to develop and market new electric models. “Manufacturers are investing billions developing and bringing vehicles to market – and spending billions more to sell them, yet the market is still not moving fast enough,” he said.

The gap between current EV sales and government targets raises questions about the pace of consumer acceptance, availability of charging infrastructure, and other market factors that could influence the transition to electric transport. Without notable increases in EV uptake, Britain may struggle to meet its broader environmental goals related to reducing road transport emissions and achieving net zero carbon status.

Industry observers suggest that while progress has been made, more coordinated efforts between manufacturers, policymakers, and consumers will be needed to drive the adoption rates required to fulfill the country’s clean vehicle ambitions in the coming years.