BYD has become the UK’s best-selling electric vehicle brand in 2026, with 12,754 BEV sales between January and April — over 7% market share — overtaking Tesla, Kia, BMW and Volkswagen. Including plug-in hybrid models, total New Energy Vehicle sales reach 26,396 units and a 9.5% UK market share.
Chinese automaker BYD has become the UK’s best-selling electric vehicle (EV) brand in 2026, with 12,754 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sold between January and April — giving it more than 7% market share, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The Shenzhen-based manufacturer has overtaken established brands including Tesla, Kia, BMW and Volkswagen. BYD has also taken the top spot among private buyers, despite not being included in the UK Government’s Electric Car Grant scheme.
When plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales are included — using BYD’s DM-i (Dual Mode intelligent) hybrid powertrain — year-to-date volumes across what the company terms New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) reach 26,396 units, representing a 9.5% share of the UK market.
BYD currently offers three DM-i models in the UK: the Seal U, Seal 6 and Sealion 5, with the Atto 2 set to join the range shortly, followed by further additions to the lineup.
The results come as the broader UK EV market has grown 22% year-on-year.
“With fuel prices remaining high, more drivers are turning to electric vehicles as a smarter and more economical choice,” says Bono Ge, country manager at BYD UK. “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.”
Ge adds that the company’s ambitions extend beyond vehicle sales. “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.”
The company says it has also been deploying home and utility-scale energy storage systems alongside its vehicle business. Ge says BYD also plans to introduce its Flash Charging technology, which it claims can charge a vehicle from 10% to 97% in nine minutes.
