Record 171 Electric Car Models Now on Sale in the UK

By Matthew Croxford · 25 Sep 2026 · Updated 20 Oct 2026

Short answer: A record 171 battery electric car models are now on sale in the UK, according to SMMT research, up from just 14 in 2016. That's 85 new models launched since 2023 alone, roughly one every fortnight. Alongside them sit 109 plug-in hybrid and 52 hybrid models, giving buyers more choice than ever before.

If you've felt like a new electric car pops up every time you check the news, you're not imagining it. The UK has just hit a record number of electric car models available to buy, with choice roughly doubling in three years. Whether you're cross-shopping your first EV or trying to work out whether now's the right time to switch, here's what the numbers actually mean and how to buy with confidence.

How many electric car models can you buy in the UK right now?

According to new research published by the SMMT, 85 new battery electric car models have reached the UK market since 2023, taking the total number available to 171. That's the equivalent of a brand new electric model launching roughly every fortnight for three years running. Alongside those pure electric options sit 109 plug-in hybrid and 52 hybrid models, meaning around three quarters of everything on sale in the UK new car market can now drive at least some of the time without tailpipe emissions.

Zoom out further and the shift looks even more dramatic. Back in 2016, buyers had just 14 battery electric models to choose from. Today that figure has grown more than tenfold, and electric cars now make up a substantial slice of every model on sale in Britain, according to the SMMT. Across every powertrain, from petrol to plug-in hybrid to fully electric, UK buyers can currently pick from around 385 models spanning more than 60 manufacturers, which the SMMT describes as making Britain one of the most diverse and competitive car markets anywhere in the world.

These figures come from SMMT industry data and will move as manufacturers launch, discontinue or update models throughout the year. For the latest count, check the SMMT's own published research directly.

Why has EV choice grown so quickly?

A few things have lined up at once. New vehicles typically take between three and five years to develop, so the wave of launches we're seeing now reflects investment decisions manufacturers made several years ago as the direction of travel towards electrification became clear. Regulatory pressure has played a part too, with the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate requiring manufacturers to hit rising annual sales targets for electric models or face penalties, which has pushed brands to widen their ranges rather than rely on one or two flagship EVs.

Competition has intensified as well, with established European and Japanese manufacturers now racing against a growing number of newer entrants, particularly from China, all fighting for space in every segment from city cars to executive SUVs. The result is real choice at every budget, not just at the premium end where EVs first found their footing.

What the record choice actually means if you're shopping for an EV

Something for every budget

Electric cars are no longer just a premium purchase. Entry-level models have brought the starting price down considerably, and pricing varies a lot depending on trim, battery size and options. At the other end of the scale, some of the newest electric SUVs now offer real long-distance range, though again this depends heavily on the specific model, battery pack and driving conditions.

Range that suits real-world driving

New electric models entering the market now average around 300 miles of range on a full charge, more than double what a typical UK driver covers in a week, according to SMMT figures. That's a meaningful shift from just a few years ago, when range anxiety was the main objection most people raised about going electric.

Every segment covered

Electric cars are now available as compact city runarounds, family hatchbacks, estates, executive saloons and SUVs of every size. If you've previously ruled out an EV because nothing suited your lifestyle, it's worth another look, because the segment you drove five years ago in petrol or diesel almost certainly has an electric equivalent today.

The Electric Car Grant: how it fits into the picture

Part of what's driving this surge in affordable choice is the government's Electric Car Grant, which offers buyers of certain new electric cars a discount applied directly at the point of sale, so there's no separate application to make. According to GOV.UK, the maximum discount for the most sustainably produced vehicles in Band 1 is £3,750, while Band 2 vehicles receive up to £1,500, with eligibility generally limited to new zero-emission cars priced at £37,000 or less. Not every electric model qualifies, and the list of approved cars is updated regularly as manufacturers apply, so if a grant-eligible price is part of your decision, check the current eligible model list on GOV.UK before you order.

Grant bands, eligible models and the £37,000 price threshold can all change as the scheme runs. Always check the live list on GOV.UK before ordering a new electric car if the discount matters to your budget.

Buying new or used, what to actually check before you sign

More choice at the new car end has a knock-on effect on the secondhand market too, with used electric car sales climbing sharply as early adopters trade up and newer models filter down in price. Whether you're eyeing a brand new EV or a used one, the buying basics still matter.

Before you view any used car, electric or otherwise, run its number plate through our reg lookup tool. It's free and instantly pulls the car's full MOT history including every test result, advisory and failure reason, its DVLA vehicle details, any outstanding safety recalls, and a free market valuation to give you a sense of what it's really worth.

Because the free check won't tell you everything about a car's past, it's also worth running a proper vehicle history check before you commit to a used electric car. With data provided by Experian, it reveals whether the car is recorded as stolen, has been written off by an insurer, is still carrying outstanding finance, how many previous keepers it's had, and whether it's ever been imported, exported or scrapped. Checks like this only apply to used cars, of course - a brand-new EV bought directly from a manufacturer or franchised dealer has no history to uncover yet. But for any used electric car, with its battery pack and expensive electronics, knowing its full background matters just as much as it does for any petrol or diesel model.

Financing an electric car from a dealer

With so many more models now on sale, spreading the cost is a common route into an EV. If you're buying through a dealer, or via the MotifyMe marketplace, you can be introduced to car finance to help fund the purchase, subject to status and affordability. This route isn't available on a private sale bought directly from an individual seller, so it's worth bearing in mind when you're deciding where to buy from.

The bottom line

Electric car choice in the UK has genuinely never been wider, with a record 171 battery electric models now on sale and a new one arriving roughly every fortnight. That's good news whatever your budget or lifestyle, but the fundamentals of buying sensibly haven't changed. Check a car's history, get a proper valuation, and don't rush the decision just because there's more on the shelf than ever before. For more on buying, running and financing a car, take a look at our guides.

Frequently asked questions

How many electric car models are available to buy in the UK? According to SMMT research, 171 battery electric car models are now on sale in the UK, after 85 new ones arrived since 2023, roughly one every fortnight for three years.

How much range do new electric cars offer? New electric models entering the market now average around 300 miles of range on a full charge, according to SMMT figures, more than double what a typical UK driver covers in a week.

How much is the Electric Car Grant worth? The Electric Car Grant offers up to £3,750 off Band 1 vehicles and up to £1,500 off Band 2 vehicles, applied at the point of sale, with eligibility generally limited to new zero-emission cars priced at £37,000 or less.

How many car models were available to UK buyers in 2016 compared with now? In 2016 there were just 14 battery electric models on sale in the UK, whereas today that figure has grown more than tenfold to 171, within a total market of around 385 models.