July saw an 11.7% rise in new car registrations, boosted by a ‘huge’ increase in EV sales, new data shows. Pure-electric cars led the charge, with registrations soaring 44.5% – although the SMMT did counter this with July 2025 seeing customers hold off on purchases due to uncertainty around the Electric Car Grant. The industry body added it also sees EV share rising to 32.1% next year against a mandated target of 38%. The Ford Puma was July’s top-seller with 3,531 units, while the Renault 5 was the most popular EV with 1,805 registrations. SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: ‘July’s record EV performance is a great achievement, reflecting industry’s huge investment in zero emission mobility.