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Most Popular Electric Cars in the UK (2026)
Electric vehicle sales in the UK have grown every year for the best part of a decade. In 2026, fully electric cars make up roughly a quarter of all new cars registered, and the Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750 is helping bring sub-£37,000 models within reach of more buyers.
Below are 10 of the most popular electric cars in the UK, led by the best sellers from the latest full year of SMMT registration data and the models gaining ground fastest in 2026. For each one we list real WLTP range, battery size, on-the-road price, home charging time on a 7 kW wallbox, Electric Car Grant eligibility, and what type of UK buyer it tends to suit.
Last updated June 2026
Fact-checked by John Rooney, Solar Energy Editor. Editorial policy
Quick Answer
The most popular electric cars in the UK in 2026 include the Tesla Model Y, Tesla Model 3, Audi Q4 e-tron, Ford Explorer and Skoda Enyaq, with the Renault 5 leading among private buyers. New EV registrations are tracked by the SMMT. Buyers can claim the Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750 on eligible new EVs priced under £37,000, plus up to £500 towards a home charger if they rent or live in a flat. Charging at home with solar panels can drop running cost to almost zero.
10 of the most popular electric cars in the UK
Ranked using the latest full-year SMMT new-EV registration figures, with the fast-rising newer models of 2026 included where they have changed the picture. Prices shown are indicative on-the-road RRPs across trims before the Electric Car Grant, which applies only to eligible models priced under £37,000. Range figures are WLTP combined; expect roughly 70–80% of WLTP in real UK winter driving.
Tesla Model Y
BEV (SUV)
Range
283–387 miles (WLTP)
Battery
60–82 kWh
Price (OTR)
£45,000–£52,000
Home charge time
~9–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Not eligible (over £37k)
The Model Y was the UK's best-selling electric car in 2025 with over 24,000 registrations, and it remains the default benchmark every rival is measured against. Buyers cite the Supercharger network, over-the-air updates, and one-pedal driving. The Long Range AWD comfortably handles a London to Manchester return on a single charge. It sits above the £37,000 Electric Car Grant threshold, so it does not qualify for the discount.
Tesla Model 3
BEV (saloon)
Range
318–436 miles (WLTP)
Battery
60–79 kWh
Price (OTR)
£40,000–£50,000
Home charge time
~9–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Not eligible (over £37k)
The saloon sibling to the Model Y and the UK's second best-selling EV in 2025. The Long Range version has one of the highest official ranges of any car on this list at well over 400 miles WLTP. A favourite of private buyers and ride-hail drivers alike thanks to low running costs and the Supercharger network.
Audi Q4 e-tron
BEV (SUV)
Range
295–348 miles (WLTP)
Battery
55–82 kWh
Price (OTR)
£47,000–£55,000
Home charge time
~8–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Not eligible (over £37k)
A premium family SUV on the VW Group MEB platform, and a strong company-car choice on the low BIK rate for EVs. The 82 kWh version clears 300 miles in mixed driving, and the cabin quality is a clear step up from the cheaper MEB cars it shares mechanicals with.
Ford Explorer
BEV (SUV)
Range
almost 374 miles (WLTP)
Battery
52–79 kWh
Price (OTR)
£40,000–£50,000
Home charge time
~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Not eligible (over £37k)
Ford's first mainstream electric SUV for Europe, built on the MEB platform but with Ford's own styling and software. The Extended Range rear-wheel-drive version is the range champion of the line-up. A practical five-seat family car that became one of the UK's top sellers in its first full year on sale.
BMW i4
BEV (gran coupe)
Range
297–365 miles (WLTP)
Battery
67–81 kWh
Price (OTR)
£50,000–£65,000
Home charge time
~9–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Not eligible (over £37k)
A driver's EV in a conventional four-door coupe body, sharing showroom space with the petrol 4 Series. The eDrive40 balances range and pace, while the M50 is one of the quickest cars here. Popular with buyers who want an electric car that still drives like a BMW.
Skoda Enyaq
BEV (SUV)
Range
smart up to 359 miles (WLTP)
Battery
55–82 kWh
Price (OTR)
£39,000–£52,000
Home charge time
~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Not eligible (over £37k)
Same MEB platform as the Audi Q4 and VW ID.4 but with more boot space and Skoda's famously practical touches. The 85 version is a strong choice for families doing regular long trips. Consistently one of the best-value premium-feeling electric SUVs in the UK.
Kia EV3
BEV (compact SUV)
Range
up to 375 miles (WLTP)
Battery
58.3–81.4 kWh
Price (OTR)
£33,000–£43,000
Home charge time
~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Eligible (entry trims under £37k)
The compact SUV that turned Kia into a top-five EV brand in the UK. The Long Range version offers one of the best range figures for the money of any car here, and entry trims slip under the £37,000 Electric Car Grant threshold. Seven-year warranty and a clean, simple cabin make it an easy first EV.
Skoda Elroq
BEV (compact SUV)
Range
up to 360 miles (WLTP)
Battery
52–82 kWh
Price (OTR)
£32,000–£40,000
Home charge time
~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Eligible (entry trims under £37k)
The smaller, cheaper sibling to the Enyaq, and one of the fastest-rising EVs of 2026. It brings Skoda practicality into a price bracket that qualifies for the Electric Car Grant on entry trims, which has driven strong private demand against the Kia EV3 and Renault 4.
Volvo EX30
BEV (compact SUV)
Range
211–298 miles (WLTP)
Battery
49–69 kWh
Price (OTR)
£33,000–£45,000
Home charge time
~6–10 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Eligible (entry trims under £37k)
Volvo's smallest and cheapest EV, and a runaway success in the UK on the strength of its design and safety reputation. The Single Motor Extended Range is the sweet spot for range and price, with entry versions falling under the £37,000 grant threshold. A natural choice for buyers downsizing into their first EV.
Renault 5 E-Tech
BEV (hatchback)
Range
190–250 miles (WLTP)
Battery
40–52 kWh
Price (OTR)
£23,000–£29,000
Home charge time
~6–8 hours (7 kW wallbox)
Electric Car Grant
Eligible (under £37k)
The retro-styled Renault 5 has been the UK's best-selling EV with private buyers through 2026, even if its full-year volume sits behind the established SUVs. It is one of the cheapest new EVs on sale, qualifies for the full Electric Car Grant, and its sub-£25,000 entry price makes it the standout choice for a first electric car or a household second car.
Working to a tighter budget? See our guide to the cheapest electric cars in the UK, ranked by price.
Electric cars in the UK: quick comparison
| # | Model | Range (WLTP) | Battery | Price (OTR) | Home charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model Y | 283–387 miles (WLTP) | 60–82 kWh | £45,000–£52,000 | ~9–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 | 318–436 miles (WLTP) | 60–79 kWh | £40,000–£50,000 | ~9–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 3 | Audi Q4 e-tron | 295–348 miles (WLTP) | 55–82 kWh | £47,000–£55,000 | ~8–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 4 | Ford Explorer | almost 374 miles (WLTP) | 52–79 kWh | £40,000–£50,000 | ~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 5 | BMW i4 | 297–365 miles (WLTP) | 67–81 kWh | £50,000–£65,000 | ~9–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 6 | Skoda Enyaq | smart up to 359 miles (WLTP) | 55–82 kWh | £39,000–£52,000 | ~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 7 | Kia EV3 | up to 375 miles (WLTP) | 58.3–81.4 kWh | £33,000–£43,000 | ~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 8 | Skoda Elroq | up to 360 miles (WLTP) | 52–82 kWh | £32,000–£40,000 | ~7–11 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 9 | Volvo EX30 | 211–298 miles (WLTP) | 49–69 kWh | £33,000–£45,000 | ~6–10 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
| 10 | Renault 5 E-Tech | 190–250 miles (WLTP) | 40–52 kWh | £23,000–£29,000 | ~6–8 hours (7 kW wallbox) |
Prices are indicative starting on-the-road RRPs across trims, before the Electric Car Grant where the model qualifies. Home charge time is for a typical 7 kW single-phase wallbox from 10–100%.
UK electric vehicle grants and incentives (2026)
The old Plug-in Car Grant ended in 2022, but a new Electric Car Grant launched in July 2025. Alongside it, EV drivers benefit from a home chargepoint grant, very low company-car tax, and reduced running costs.
| Incentive | Amount | Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Car Grant | Up to £3,750 | New battery electric car priced under £37,000 that meets the scheme’s criteria. Applied automatically as a discount by the dealer; no application needed. |
| EV chargepoint grant | Up to £500 per socket | Renters and flat owners, plus households relying on on-street parking. Standard homeowners with a driveway are not eligible. |
| Company-car Benefit-in-Kind (BIK) | Very low rate | Electric company cars are taxed at a fraction of the BIK rate of petrol or diesel cars, making salary-sacrifice EVs highly cost-effective. |
| 0% VAT on home batteries and solar | 20% saving | Solar panels and home batteries installed in UK homes are zero-rated for VAT, cutting the cost of charging your EV from your own roof. |
See our full UK solar grants guide for detail on the 0% VAT relief and other home-energy support.
Home charging in the UK: what each EV needs
Every EV on the list above uses the Type 2 connector for home AC charging, so any standard 7 kW UK home wallbox will work with all of them. Charging speed at home depends on the car’s onboard AC charger and your house supply.
7 kW single-phase wallbox
This is the standard for most UK homes. A full charge of a 60 kWh battery takes roughly 8–9 hours, comfortably overnight on a cheap EV tariff.
22 kW three-phase
Some properties have three-phase supply, which can deliver up to 22 kW depending on the car. Most EVs on this list accept 11 kW AC; only some accept 22 kW.
Public DC fast charging
Used for long trips, not daily charging. CCS is the standard rapid connector across the UK. Speeds range from 50 kW to 350 kW depending on the station.
3-pin plug (granny cable)
Possible but slow. About 24 hours for a 60 kWh battery and hard on standard sockets if used daily. Fine as a back-up, not as a primary solution.
For a full comparison of wallbox brands available in the UK, see the EV charger guide, or get matched with an installer through EV charger installers.
Pairing your electric car with home solar panels
A typical UK household drives around 7,000–8,000 miles a year and uses roughly 2,500–3,000 kWh to charge an EV at home. A 4 kWp solar PV system in the UK generates around 3,400–3,800 kWh per year. With a solar-aware charger (such as a Zappi in Eco+ mode) you can divert surplus solar straight into your car, replacing a meaningful share of annual charging with free electricity from your own roof.
Solar + EV: typical UK setup
- 4–6 kWp solar PV system (10–16 panels)
- Optional 5–10 kWh battery for evening top-ups
- Solar-compatible 7 kW wallbox (Zappi, Hypervolt)
- Smart EV tariff (such as Octopus Intelligent Go) for cheap overnight top-ups
See the dedicated solar panels + EV charging guide for system sizing, savings and Zappi vs Ohme detail. If you want a quote for solar plus a wallbox, use the solar quote form.
How much do these EVs cost to run in the UK?
An EV uses roughly 28–30 kWh per 100 miles in UK conditions. The cost to drive 100 miles depends entirely on where the electricity comes from.
| Energy source | Rate | Cost per 100 miles | Cost per 8,000 miles/year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol (40 mpg, £1.40/L) | – | £15.91 | £1,273 |
| Diesel (50 mpg, £1.45/L) | – | £13.18 | £1,054 |
| EV on standard day rate | ~27p/kWh | £7.83 | £626 |
| EV on smart night tariff | ~7p/kWh | £2.03 | £162 |
| EV charged from home solar | 0p/kWh | £0 | £0 |
Solar covers a share of typical annual charging on a 4 kWp system, depending on when you drive and charge; the rest is usually topped up at cheap overnight EV-tariff prices. See the best Octopus tariffs for solar and EVs for current overnight rates.
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Get Quotes ↓How this list is ranked
Ranking is based on new battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in the UK as reported by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), using the latest full-year model figures as the backbone. Fast-rising newer models of 2026, such as the Renault 5, are included where they have materially changed the market. Plug-in hybrids are excluded; only fully electric cars are listed.
Range figures use WLTP combined as published by the manufacturer. Real-world UK range is typically 70–80% of WLTP in winter and closer to WLTP in summer. Prices are indicative on-the-road RRPs across available trims and are shown before the Electric Car Grant where the model qualifies.
Home charge time assumes a standard 7 kW single-phase wallbox from approximately 10% state of charge to full. Cars with larger batteries naturally take longer to fill.
Popular EVs in the UK: FAQ
What is the most popular electric car in the UK?
The Tesla Model Y was the UK's best-selling electric car in the latest full year of SMMT data, ahead of the Tesla Model 3. Among private buyers in 2026 the Renault 5 has been the most popular EV, and BYD has become the UK's biggest-selling EV brand overall.
How much is the Electric Car Grant in the UK?
The UK Electric Car Grant is worth up to £3,750 off an eligible new electric car. It applies to BEVs priced under £37,000 that meet the scheme's criteria, and it is applied automatically by the dealer at the point of sale, so there is no separate application.
What is the cheapest electric car in the UK?
The Renault 5 E-Tech, Citroen e-C3 and Dacia Spring are among the cheapest new EVs on sale in the UK in 2026, with entry prices from around £20,000–£25,000. Several of these qualify for the full Electric Car Grant, lowering the price further.
What is the longest-range EV on sale in the UK?
The Tesla Model 3 Long Range is one of the longest-range mainstream EVs in the UK at well over 400 miles WLTP. Premium models such as the Mercedes EQS and BMW i7 also clear 400 miles. Among the cars in this list, the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y Long Range lead on distance.
How long does it take to charge an EV at home in the UK?
On a typical 7 kW single-phase wallbox, a full charge takes 6–11 hours depending on battery size. Most UK EV owners plug in overnight on a smart EV tariff and wake up to a full battery at a fraction of the day-rate cost. A 3-pin plug is much slower (24+ hours).
Do I need a home charger to own an EV in the UK?
Strictly no, public chargers are available nationwide. But home charging is far cheaper than public rapid chargers and much more convenient. Most UK EV owners with off-street parking install a 7 kW wallbox soon after buying their car.
Can I charge my electric car using solar panels?
Yes. A solar-compatible charger such as the Zappi detects surplus solar generation from your panels and diverts it into your EV automatically. A 4 kWp solar system can cover a useful share of typical annual EV charging in the UK, and the marginal cost of solar electricity is effectively zero.
What is the difference between BEV and PHEV?
A BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) runs on electricity only and has no petrol engine. A PHEV (Plug-in Hybrid) has a small battery and an internal combustion engine. The Electric Car Grant of up to £3,750 only applies to fully electric BEVs.
Are electric cars cheaper to run than petrol in the UK?
Yes. On a standard day rate an EV is roughly half the cost per mile of petrol; on a smart overnight EV tariff it is around 80–90% cheaper; and charged from home solar the marginal cost is effectively zero. Over a year of typical UK driving the saving can run to several hundred pounds or more versus petrol.
Is BYD really outselling Tesla in the UK?
In 2026 BYD became the UK's best-selling EV brand by volume across its range (Dolphin, Atto 3, Seal, Sealion 7 and others), overtaking Tesla, Kia, BMW and Volkswagen. Tesla still sells the single best-selling individual model, the Model Y, but BYD leads on total brand volume.
Related Guides
Cheapest Electric Cars UK
Budget EVs ranked by price, with Electric Car Grant eligibility.
EV Chargers
Home EV charger costs, OZEV grant, and solar+EV benefits.
Solar & EV Charging
Charge your electric car with solar panels and save £2,000+/year.
EV Charger Installers
Get matched with vetted UK installers for a home EV charge point.
Sources
- SMMT: Electric vehicle registrations
- GOV.UK: Electric Car Grant
- GOV.UK: EV chargepoint grant schemes
- Zapmap: UK EV market share statistics
Last updated: June 2026
John Rooney is the founder of Solar Info and has been covering the UK solar energy market since 2023. He researches every battery and inverter brand against manufacturer datasheets, MCS and Ofgem data, and feedback from the MCS-certified installers in our directory before publishing.
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