MINI Top February Charts As EV Sales Rise

07/03/2025 10:14 Share

MINI Top February Charts As EV Sales Rise

MINI topped the charts for the best-selling new car in the UK in February, despite overall registrations falling for a fifth successive month.

More than 2,000 new MINI Cooper models were registered over the course of the month, with Tesla taking second and third sports with the Model 3 and Model Y respectively.

Both Volkswagen and Nissan were able to celebrate having two cars in the top ten for the month, although it is the Kia Sportage that remains the best-selling car in the UK so far in 2025 having topped the charts in January.

Whilst overall registrations were down 1.0% on the same month last year as a result of reduced fleet sales, there was a noticeable upturn in registrations for electrified vehicles, down in part to a desire from buyers to make the move before changes to the car tax regulations come into force.

Those changes will see EVs taxed in line with their petrol counterparts and will also see a number of models subject to the supplement in place for cars sold for more than £40,000 when new.

Registrations of both petrol and diesel cars were down on twelve months ago, but full electric registrations increased by more than 40% for a market share of more than a quarter, with both plug-in hybrids and hybrid registrations going up.

EV registrations are expected to increase again in March before the new tax rules come in at the start of April.

“Although February’s figures show a subdued overall market, the good news is that electric car uptake is increasing, albeit at huge cost to manufacturers in terms of market support,” SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said. “It is always dangerous, however, to draw conclusions from a single month, especially one such as small and volatile as February.

“With the all-important March number plate change now upon us, and tax changes taking effect in April that will, perversely, dissuade EV purchases, we expect significant demand for these new products next month - but, long term, EV consumers need carrots, not ever more sticks.”