UK car registrations climbed 7% in May 2026, reaching 160,662, the highest May total since before the Covid pandemic, driven by increased sales of Chinese electric vehicles and Tesla models [1]. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said, "Britain’s car buyers are responding to a market offering more choice than ever, from both new and familiar brands, resulting in a robust May" [1].
Chinese EV makers Chery and BYD played a major role in the surge. Chery sold 8,200 cars in the UK in May, quadrupling its sales over the first five months of 2026 compared to the prior year. BYD sold 5,200 units in May, doubling its year-to-date sales [1]. Other Chinese brands also saw sharp growth, with Leapmotor selling 900 cars and Geely (including its Zeekr brand) selling 1,100 units in the UK during May, both increasing from near zero a year earlier [1].
Tesla’s UK sales rose 45% in May 2026, although year-to-date sales grew only 3% [1]. The US automaker’s China factory delivered 85,982 Model 3 and Model Y vehicles in May, a 39.4% increase compared with the same month last year [2, 3]. Tesla China introduced finance incentives in mid-May that reduced the down payment on a Model 3 by about 30%, to 55,900 yuan. The company stated it aimed to "further lower the threshold for more consumers to own our vehicles" [2].
China’s domestic EV market showed signs of recovery as total EV sales reached 1.36 million units in May, up 12% year-on-year and 11% compared to April [3]. Several Chinese EV makers, including BYD, Leapmotor, Geely, Nio, and Xiaomi, reported year-on-year sales increases, with BYD ending a months-long decline [3].
On May 21, Tesla announced that its Full Self-Driving (Supervised) system became available in China, though mainstream consumer availability remains unclear [3].
These figures reflect growing EV demand both in the UK and China, with Chinese brands gaining traction alongside Tesla’s expanding presence. The next milestone will be June car sales data, expected to provide further insight into EV market trends after strong performance in May 2026.
