Finance
EV shift repaints Britain's car market green, industry body says
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on January 16, 2026
Britain's Car Market Sees Surge in Green Vehicle Sales Amid EV Shift
Impact of Electric Vehicles on Car Colour Trends
Jan 16 (Reuters) - British drivers turning to EVs are leading a change in colour preferences, as green-tinted cars sold in 2025 reached their highest volume in 20 years, industry body SMMT said on Friday.
Car colours rarely matter as a business metric, but they can reflect shifting tastes. In recent years those tastes have narrowed to plain shades of grey, prompting Fiat CEO Olivier Francois in 2023 to launch a campaign promoting more cheerful tones.
The EV transition has put a new spin on the trend.
Sales Growth of Green Cars
British motorists, associating the colour green with the country's decarbonisation drive, bought 99,793 green cars in the year, 46.3% more than in 2024 and reaching almost 5% of total cars sold, the SMMT said on Friday.
Market Share of Electrified Vehicles
That comes as electrified cars - either battery-electric, hybrid-electric or plugin-hybrid - reached last year a market share of over 48% in the UK, helped by a national scheme which aims to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2035.
Sales of green-tinted battery-electric vehicles almost doubled to 23,249 units, the SMMT added.
Manufacturer Responses to Changing Preferences
"Manufacturers are responding by expanding model ranges, colours and finishes," SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said in a statement.
Grey, however, remained the most popular colour for the eighth consecutive year, followed by black - the top pick for executive cars - blue and white.
(Reporting by Alessandro Parodi, Editing by Louise Heavens)
Frequently Asked Questions about EV shift repaints Britain's car market green, industry body says
1What is an electric vehicle (EV)?
An electric vehicle (EV) is a type of vehicle that is powered entirely or partially by electricity, using electric motors instead of traditional internal combustion engines.
2What are green vehicles?
Green vehicles are automobiles that have a reduced impact on the environment, typically by using alternative fuels or technologies that lower emissions.
3What is market share?
Market share is the percentage of an industry's sales that a particular company or product controls, indicating its competitiveness in the market.
4What are electrified vehicles?
Electrified vehicles include battery-electric vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles, and plug-in hybrid vehicles that use electric power to reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
5What is decarbonisation?
Decarbonisation refers to the process of reducing carbon dioxide emissions associated with energy production and consumption, often through the adoption of cleaner technologies.
