UK buyers can now choose from 171 fully electric cars after the number of available models doubled in three years, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Manufacturers have introduced 85 battery-electric models since 2023, equivalent to almost one new electric vehicle (EV) every fortnight.
The expansion gives dealers electric options across every major vehicle segment, including city cars, family hatchbacks, executive saloons, SUVs and sports cars.
EVs sit alongside 109 plug-in hybrid and 52 hybrid models. More than three quarters of the UK’s new car model range is now capable of some driving without producing tailpipe emissions.
Overall, UK buyers can select from 385 models across all powertrain types and more than 60 brands.
Average EV range passes 300 miles
The SMMT said the latest EVs can typically travel more than 300 miles on one charge.
This is more than twice the 127 miles covered by the average UK driver each week.
The increase in range and model choice follows investment by manufacturers in battery technology, vehicle platforms and production capacity.
New models typically take between three and five years to develop, meaning many of the vehicles now reaching dealerships reflect investment decisions made well before the recent expansion in EV demand.
Manufacturer discounts and the Government’s Electric Car Grant are also helping to reduce purchase costs on qualifying models.
The SMMT estimated that the rollout of electric cars, combined with improvements to hybrid and combustion-engine vehicles, was reducing annual new car CO2 emissions by more than 500,000 tonnes.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Britain’s new car market has never offered so much choice, with a new electric model arriving every fortnight and zero emission motoring now available in every shape and size of vehicle.
“Industry investment is delivering the products, performance and range drivers need, while compelling offers are helping more people make the switch.”
Hawes said hybrid and lower-emission models also provided an opportunity for motorists who still faced barriers to adopting a fully electric car.
The breadth of electrified product is being demonstrated at SMMT Drive Live, where nine in 10 of the models available to test drive are electrified.
Pure electric cars account for 58.2% of the event’s test vehicle line-up.