05 May 2026

BYD becomes UK’s largest Electric Vehicle brand

Industry News

BYD becomes the UK’s best-selling electric vehicle brand in 2026*
BYD sold 12,754 electric cars between January and April, according to data from the SMMT – with over 7% market share
The brand also becomes most popular electric vehicle brand for private buyers
Pure electric and plug-in hybrid sales total 26,396 year-to-date, resulting in 9.5% market share

BYD has become the UK’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) brand, overtaking established brands, with 12,754 electric vehicles sold in 2026 so far.

BYD has also, significantly, become the best-selling EV brand among private buyers, despite not being included in the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant.

Crucially, BYD is also doing well with its plug-in DM-i (Dual Mode intelligent) hybrid sales. The two power types combined are frequently referred to as ‘New Energy Vehicles’. In the UK year-to-date, its fully electric and plug-in hybrid sales hit an impressive 26,396 units, resulting in 9.5% UK market share. BYD currently sells three DM-i models, SEAL U, SEAL 6, SEALION 5, with ATTO 2 arriving soon, shortly followed by some extra siblings.

The UK EV market has grown by 22% overall, reflecting increasing consumer demand for sustainable mobility.

Bono Ge, Country Manager, BYD UK, said:

“With fuel prices remaining high, more drivers are turning to electric vehicles as a smarter and more economical choice. We are delighted to see the UK EV market grow by 22% year-on-year, and even more proud that BYD has become the UK’s leading EV brand in a little over three years. At BYD, we are committed to delivering outstanding value through high-tech electric vehicles that combine innovation, quality and affordability. But our ambition goes beyond building great cars. We are also bringing advanced technologies that unlock the full value of electrification, including Vehicle-to-Grid solutions that can help customers optimise energy use and reduce costs. In parallel, BYD has been deploying home and utility-scale energy storage solutions to support a more efficient and affordable energy ecosystem. Looking ahead, we also plan to introduce our breakthrough FLASH Charging, capable of charging a vehicle from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes.”

Thinking about switching to electrified driving? As one of the UK’s largest independently owned, family-run car retail groups since 1976, we’re proud to introduce BYD’s innovative range. From navigating Cumbria’s historic streets to cruising through the Lake District, exploring Lancashire’s rolling hills or driving across the scenic Scottish Borders, BYD’s electric and hybrid vehicles deliver an ideal blend of performance, range and sustainability.