Renault UK more than doubled its electric car sales in 2025, driven by the success of the Renault 5 E-Tech, which became the best-selling EV to private buyers in three separate months and topped the overall UK EV market in October.
The brand registered 19,120 battery electric vehicles last year - a 123% increase on 2024 - accounting for 29% of its total passenger car sales. In October, nearly half of all Renault registrations were electric.
Total passenger car sales reached 65,000 units, up 13% year-on-year, lifting Renault's market share to 3.2%. Retail sales - to private buyers rather than fleets - grew faster still, up 19%, taking retail market share to 3.4%.
Renault 5 leads retail EV market
The Renault 5 arrived in UK showrooms in April and was the best-selling EV to retail buyers in April, May, October and November. It was also the outright best-selling EV across all channels in October, outselling the Tesla Model Y.
Over the final quarter, the 5 was the top-selling retail EV, and finished 2025 as the second most popular EV with private buyers for the full year - despite only being available for nine months.
Combined with sales of the Renault 4, Megane and Scenic, the performance lifted Renault to fourth place among EV brands in the retail market. It took the top spot in April, May and October.
Electric Car Grant eligibility
Renault was among the first brands to qualify for the government's Electric Car Grant when it launched in July, with all its pure-electric passenger cars eligible. The scheme offers up to £3,750 off vehicles priced below £35,000.
The brand has since introduced new "+" variants of the Renault 4, Renault 5 and Alpine A290, all priced to qualify for the maximum grant. Looking ahead, Renault says the Twingo E-Tech - due later this year at a target price below £20,000 - will further extend its affordable EV range.
Context: ZEV mandate pressure
The results come as the wider UK industry grapples with the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which required 28% of new car sales to be electric in 2025 and rises to 33% this year. The SMMT has warned that manufacturers spent over £5bn on discounts to push EV sales, and is calling for an early review of the policy.
Renault's 29% EV mix puts it ahead of the industry average of 23.4%, suggesting the brand is better positioned than some rivals to meet rising targets without heavy discounting.
Adam Wood, Managing Director of Renault UK, said the results reflected the brand's "volume with value" strategy. "Successful launches of R5 and R4 have given added momentum to our electric sales, establishing Renault among the leaders in EV in the UK."
