The number of electric vehicle (EV) models available to UK buyers has risen from just 14 in 2016 to 167 in 2026, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
EVs now account for 40.9% of all car models on sale in the UK, with electrified powertrains available across more than four in five models.
The SMMT said the growth reflected long-term manufacturer investment in electrification, with 51 brands now offering EV models in the UK, compared with 12 a decade ago.
The expansion means EVs are now available across every segment of the market, from city cars and SUVs to luxury saloons and performance models.
Average EV driving range has also increased significantly over the period and now exceeds 300 miles, comfortably above the average weekly mileage travelled by UK drivers.
Electrification has accelerated beyond fully EVs, with plug-in hybrid and hybrid variants now accounting for 42.3% of all available models, up from 16.2% in 2016.
In total, electrified powertrains including BEVs, hybrids and plug-in hybrids are now available in 83.6% of UK car models, compared with 19.8% a decade ago.
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Consumer demand has also increased sharply.
Zero emission vehicle registrations rose from 10,264 units in 2016 to 473,346 last year, increasing market share from 0.4% to 23.4%.
BEV uptake has remained strong during the opening months of 2026, with registrations up 22.1% to 176,698 units across the first four months of the year, representing a 23.1% market share.
Demand rising, but still below 33% ZEV target
However, the SMMT said the market remains below the government’s ZEV mandate target of 33%.
The industry body said manufacturers have invested heavily in discounts and incentives to stimulate demand, contributing more than £10 billion in support since 2024.
Despite growing EV adoption, the SMMT said additional government action is still needed to support the transition.
The organisation is calling for lower energy costs, more affordable public charging, expanded charging infrastructure and further fiscal incentives to help accelerate private consumer demand.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Ten years ago, electric vehicles were a curiosity for many drivers. Today, they are a core part of the UK new car market, with unprecedented choice, longer battery range and growing consumer appetite.
“Massive manufacturer investment has delivered this progress, but continued government action to accelerate demand and support manufacturer investment is essential to keep the transition on track.”
The shift towards electrification has also expanded into the commercial vehicle market.
Zero emission commercial vehicle model choice has increased almost 15-fold over the past decade, rising from five models in 2016 to more than 78 today.
Electric van model availability has increased almost eightfold, while the number of electric bus models has more than tripled.
The SMMT said the UK is now Europe’s largest zero emission bus market.
Zero emission heavy goods vehicle availability has also expanded from no models a decade ago to more than 40 models today.
The latest market developments are being highlighted at the SMMT Test Day 2026 event, where manufacturers are showcasing new electric and electrified vehicles across car, van, truck and bus sectors.
Seven in 10 vehicles available to test drive at the event are electrified, while fully electric models account for more than half of the vehicles on display.