UK to end ECOS tax break by Oct 2026, boosting revenue but risking jobs; BEV sales rise to 25.4% of October registrations.

The UK government plans to end the Employee Car Ownership Schemes (ECOS) tax benefit by October 2026, aligning it with company car tax rules in a move expected to raise £275 million in the first year, though industry leaders warn it could cost £1 billion in revenue and threaten 5,000 jobs. Meanwhile, new car registrations rose 0.5% in October 2025, with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) making up 25.4% of the market, driven by a 24% increase in sales, while petrol and diesel registrations declined. BEVs now account for 22.4% of annual sales, up from 23.3% in 2024, but remain below the mandated 33% target by 2027.