Tesla Model 3 is UK's best-selling EV in record September
The Model 3 sold 9,929 cars to finish second overall, and Tesla and BYD took four of the top five EV places. Here are the five best-selling electric cars that we could verify, and how they compare with the overall top 10.
Quick answers
- The Tesla Model 3 was the UK's best-selling electric car in September 2026 with 9,929 registrations, second among all new cars behind the Jaecoo 7.
- The Tesla Model Y (5,946), BYD Sealion 7 (3,191), BYD Seal (3,184) and Kia EV3 (3,026) completed the top five.
- A record 99,199 battery-electric cars were registered, up 36.3% and a 28.3% share of a market that grew 12.1% to 350,518.
- Only the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y reached the overall top 10 among electric cars; the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai filled places three, four and six.
- The Model 3 outsold the Model Y by about 1.7 to one, with a Model 3 starting at £37,990 against £44,990 for the Model Y.
The Tesla Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling electric car in September 2026, with 9,929 registrations, and the second best-selling new car of any type. Only the Jaecoo 7, which is sold as a petrol or plug-in hybrid, beat it overall. For UK buyers, the month shows that the cheapest Tesla and a handful of Chinese-built models are setting the pace in a record electric market. For the rest of the week’s stories, see our weekly UK EV news round-up.
SMMT recorded 99,199 battery-electric registrations, up 36.3% and a 28.3% share of a market that grew 12.1% to 350,518 cars (SMMT). We cover the market totals in our September sales report; this piece looks at the models.
What were the UK’s best-selling electric cars in September?
Tesla and BYD took four of the top five places, with the Kia EV3 the only other make to break in (CleanTechnica; Electrek).
| Rank | Model | Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tesla Model 3 | 9,929 |
| 2 | Tesla Model Y | 5,946 |
| 3 | BYD Sealion 7 | 3,191 |
| 4 | BYD Seal | 3,184 |
| 5 | Kia EV3 | 3,026 |
We have published only the top five because we could not corroborate the figures for places six to ten against SMMT or Carwow data.
The Model 3 sold about three times as many cars as the Sealion 7 in third place. Tesla’s two cars alone accounted for 15,875 registrations, as we reported in our Tesla September sales analysis.
How does that compare with the overall top 10?
Only two electric cars reached the all-car top 10, behind the Jaecoo 7 at number one (Carwow).
| Rank | Model | Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jaecoo 7 | 10,814 |
| 2 | Tesla Model 3 (electric) | 9,929 |
| 3 | Ford Puma | 6,958 |
| 4 | Kia Sportage | 6,521 |
| 5 | Tesla Model Y (electric) | 5,946 |
| 6 | Nissan Qashqai | 5,554 |
| 7 | Vauxhall Corsa | 5,498 |
| 8 | Volkswagen Golf | 5,496 |
| 9 | MG HS | 5,444 |
| 10 | Audi A3 | 5,268 |
It was the Jaecoo 7’s second month at number one this year, and it is the second best-selling car of 2026 so far (Quartz). Carwow also reported that diesel sales rose in September despite higher fuel costs.
Why did the Model 3 outsell the Model Y?
Price is the obvious answer. The Model 3 Standard starts at £37,990 (EV Fleet World), while the Model Y starts at £44,990, according to our Tesla range guide. Neither car is eligible for the Electric Car Grant, so those are the prices before any discount a dealer or Tesla offers.
The Model 3’s lead over the Model Y was 3,983 cars, a ratio of about 1.7 to one.
How are Chinese EVs closing in?
BYD placed two cars in the top four. BYD’s own record September shows the same pattern across its range, not just in one model.
The Sealion 7 and Seal are separated by just seven registrations.
Where are Ford, Vauxhall and the Korean brands?
None of the electric ranges from Ford, Vauxhall or Volkswagen made the electric top five. Their best-sellers in the overall table, the Puma and Corsa among them, are available in more than one powertrain, so we cannot say from the published figures how many of those were electric.
The Kia EV3 is the clearest Korean success, taking fifth with 3,026 registrations. Our Kia EV3, EV4 and EV5 price guide covers the range. Hyundai is further back: AM Online reported its UK registrations were down 8.6% for the year while the market grew 9.5%, and the company is relying on the Ioniq 3 to recover (AM Online).
What this means for you
If you are shopping for an electric car, the best-seller list is a guide to what is plentiful, not what is best. Compare running costs and the Electric Car Grant before you choose. Check whether your shortlist qualifies using our grant eligibility guide, because a grant-eligible rival can undercut a Tesla on price.
Use the tables to see what is popular, then test-drive two or three cars.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What was the best-selling electric car in the UK in September 2026?
The Tesla Model 3, with 9,929 registrations. That also made it the second best-selling new car of any type, behind the Jaecoo 7, which sold more than 10,800 and is available as a petrol or plug-in hybrid.
What were the UK's top five electric cars in September 2026?
In order: Tesla Model 3 (9,929), Tesla Model Y (5,946), BYD Sealion 7 (3,191), BYD Seal (3,184) and Kia EV3 (3,026).
How many electric cars were sold in the UK in September 2026?
SMMT recorded 99,199 battery-electric registrations, up 36.3% on a year earlier and a record 28.3% share of the new car market.
Is the Jaecoo 7 an electric car?
No. The Jaecoo 7, the UK's best-selling new car in September, is sold as a petrol or a plug-in hybrid, so it does not appear in the electric-only ranking.
Sources and further reading
- smmt.co.ukSMMTPrimary source referenced in this article.
- carwow.co.ukBest-selling cars in September revealed: Jaecoo 7 takes top spot and diesel sales rise despite higher fuel costsThe overall top 10 by registrations.
- electrek.coUK EV sales surge 36% to record high in SeptemberTesla Model 3 and Model Y positions and electric car volumes.
- cleantechnica.comEV Sales Surged In The UK This SeptemberElectric car model ranking for the month.
- electrive.comUK posts strongest-ever month for BEV registrations in SeptemberRecord BEV registrations and market context.
- evfleetworld.co.ukTesla launches Model 3 Standard for £37,990UK starting price of the cheapest Model 3.
- qz.comJaecoo 7 tops U.K. car sales in September 2026 for second timeThe Jaecoo 7's second month at number one in 2026.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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