One of the biggest changes in the UK car market is not simply how many electric cars are being sold, but how many different electric cars buyers can now choose from.
SMMT research shows that 171 fully electric models are now available in the UK, double the number available three years ago.
A new electric model has been arriving roughly every fortnight
Since 2023, 85 new battery-electric models have entered the UK market. That works out at roughly one new model every two weeks over the period.
The expansion means EVs are no longer concentrated in a small number of premium saloons and large SUVs. Buyers can now choose electric city cars, hatchbacks, family SUVs, executive cars and performance models.
Average range is now around 300 miles
SMMT says the latest battery-electric models offer an average range of around 300 miles on a charge. Real-world range will vary with temperature, speed, driving style and vehicle specification, but the improvement is significant.
For many drivers, the question is increasingly less about whether an EV can cover a normal week of driving and more about where and how conveniently it can be charged.
The wider electrified market is even larger
Alongside 171 battery-electric cars, the market also includes 109 plug-in hybrid models and 52 conventional hybrids. SMMT says around 76% of the UK's model offering is now capable of some form of zero-emission driving.
Across all powertrains, UK buyers can choose from roughly 385 models supplied by more than 60 brands.
More models should improve the used market too
The second-hand EV market depends on what was sold new two, three or four years earlier. As today's broader range filters into used stock, buyers should gain access to more sizes, price points and battery configurations.
That should make it easier for someone shopping for a £12,000 used EV, for example, to compare several genuinely different models rather than choosing from a narrow pool.
Choice does not remove the need to compare carefully
More EVs can also make buying more complicated. Two similarly priced cars may differ significantly in battery size, usable range, charging speed, heat-pump availability, warranty terms and software support.
Buyers should compare their real needs rather than focusing only on the largest possible battery. A smaller, efficient EV with good charging speed may suit some drivers better than a heavier long-range model.
The market is becoming more normal
Perhaps the most important change is that electric cars are starting to behave like any other part of the market: there are budget choices, premium choices, family choices and models designed for very specific lifestyles.
That growing variety is likely to be one of the biggest factors shaping both the new and used UK car markets over the next few years.
Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 23 September 2026.
