Battery electric vehicles accounted for approximately 26% of the UK automotive market in September 2026, finishing just two percentage points behind vehicles powered solely by internal combustion engines, according to GlobalData.
The figures highlight how closely electric vehicles are competing with conventional petrol and diesel models, while hybrids continue to play a significant role in the market.
GlobalData’s analysis puts ICE-only vehicles at approximately 28% of total sales. The comparison excludes hybrids from the ICE-only category, so it does not mean battery electric vehicles have nearly overtaken all vehicles fitted with an engine.
For Australian fleet buyers, the results provide an indication of the changing sales mix in an overseas market that could influence future vehicle development and model availability.
Multiple powertrains competing for buyers
Tushar Vitthal Wandare, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, said the September results demonstrated the need for manufacturers to cater for a range of powertrain preferences.
“The UK automotive market showed a narrow gap between ICE-only vehicles and BEVs in September 2026, with ICE-only vehicles leading at approximately 28% of the total market and BEVs close behind at 26%,” Wandare said.
“This highlights the growing importance of powertrain diversification in the UK market, with manufacturers needing to balance established ICE demand against rising electric vehicle adoption.”
GlobalData also identified substantial plug-in hybrid and 48-volt mild hybrid volumes, reinforcing the role of electrified alternatives alongside battery electric and conventional vehicles.
For fleet managers, that mix supports a vehicle selection process based on operational requirements. Daily distance, access to charging, load requirements and whole-of-life costs remain central to choosing a suitable powertrain.
Passenger vehicles dominate sales
Passenger vehicles represented approximately 88% of the total UK automotive market in September, with light commercial vehicles accounting for around 12%.
Under GlobalData’s body-type classifications, hatchbacks accounted for approximately 49% of total vehicle sales, followed by estate vehicles at 25% and panel vans at 11%.
Other categories included multi-purpose vehicles, saloons, coupes, chassis cabs and pickups.
Within the light commercial market, panel vans represented approximately 85% of sales. Chassis cabs and pickups followed, with smaller volumes spread across window vans, motor caravans, platform cabs, car-derived vans and chassis cowl vehicles.
The dominance of panel vans highlights the importance of this vehicle category to manufacturers competing for commercial customers.
Jaecoo and Tesla feature in model rankings
The Jaecoo 7 was the best-selling individual model in GlobalData’s September analysis, followed by the Tesla Model 3 and Ford Transit Custom.
Volkswagen led the manufacturer rankings, ahead of Ford, BYD and Mercedes-Benz.
The results show competition extending across established manufacturers and newer brands, with passenger vehicles and commercial workhorses featuring among the leading models.
“The September 2026 data highlights the UK automotive market’s diverse demand patterns,” Wandare said.
“The narrow gap between ICE-only vehicles and BEVs, alongside substantial PHEV and 48-volt mild hybrid volumes, underscores the importance of a multi-powertrain strategy.”
For Australian fleet managers, the UK results are a useful market signal rather than a direct forecast of local demand. They point to an increasingly diverse vehicle market, where procurement policies and replacement plans need to accommodate a broader choice of brands and powertrains.
