Electric vehicles roar up Britain's sales rankings
EV sales are rising in the UK as political changes in Europe help fuel the transition away from fossil-fuel engines
Sales of hybrid and electric vehicles in the UK hit a record high in May as buyers turned their back on diesel cars. Data for May released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this week showed that 11,240 units were sold last month, a 38% increase on 2017, while the market share for EVs and hybrids also increased to 5.8% on the previous year's figure of 4.4%. So far, in the first five months total sales are at 57,000, representing a rise of 19.5%. Political shifts in Western Europe in recent weeks are also expected to support momentum towards faster adoption of electric vehicles. The populist Five Star Movement that has become the majority partner in a new Italian coali
Also in this section
10 March 2026
From Venezuela to Hormuz, the US—backed by the most powerful military force ever assembled—is redrawing not only oil and gas flows but also the global balance of energy power
10 March 2026
By shutting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran has cut exports of distillate-rich Middle Eastern crude, jet fuel and diesel, and is holding the energy market hostage
10 March 2026
Eni’s director for global gas and LNG portfolio, Cristian Signoretto, discusses how demand will respond to rising LNG supply, and how the company is expanding its own gas and LNG operations through disciplined, capital-efficient investments
9 March 2026
Petroleum Economist analysis sees increases in output from Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Kazakhstan among others before region’s murky descent






