Your Definitive Preview to the new VW ID.3 NEO Electric Car Lease

The new VW ID.3 NEO Electric Car Lease-Your Definitive Preview

The pressure is now on the various manufacturers selling their vehicles in the UK. As mandated by the  UK government  there are fixed targets on the volume of zero-emission vehicles which must be sold.

For 2026, the targets are that 33% of the vehicle registrations must be zero-emission, with the remainder being petrol / diesel or some variant of hybrid on that platform. Bear in mind that in 2024, when the legislation kicked in, the expectations were just 22% for cars, so this year will prove to be a big task for the automotive network.

What is perhaps quite concerning, is that in 2028 this jumps to just over 50% and then 80% by 2030. Even for e-car lease, as the UK’s leading electric experts, we understand the work needed to make this a reality.

We almost certainly do not underestimate what is needed to make these lofty ambitions actually happen on the front lines with new and used all-electric cars for our customers.

While we await the official statistics from the SMMT , there have been some early reports on the performance of the “26” plate which arrived in March 2026. As reported in Reuters  there was a 6% growth in new car registrations, as the volume of new registrations continues to improve.

However, there are question marks over the exact percentage of EVs which were registered, with early estimates suggesting this will be around 23%. While this does fall short of expectations, the actual volume (in terms of numeric amounts) will actually be a positive achievement. This is where we need to be careful with the percentage marker, as the UK’s new car industry has slowly improved and increased since the ZEV Mandate was issued.

However, today’s SMMT statistics have created a slightly different, and more positive, view on March 2026, As highlighted below, there are some significant results:

• 380,627 vehicle registrations – a 6.6% percent increase on last year
•  86,120 Battery Electric Vehicles were registered – this is a 24.2% increase on last year

• Electric vehicles had a 22.4% market share in March 2026 (5.6% below the ZEV Mandate running rate)
• Electric vehicles enjoyed a 3% higher market share than last year (2025)  

The report from SMMT is that there is an acknowledgement of rising EV volumes but the conditions for the automotive market, in the UK and globally, are very different than when the mandate was originally issued. As of 2026, the cost of batteries is 30% higher, the energy prices are 80% beyond 2021 and public charging costs are 140% more than five years ago.

The recent oil crisis arising out of Iran is adding further concern and anxiety, with rising fuel costs and cost of living impacting consumer confidence. The SMMT notes the Government support, via the Electric Car Grant scheme, but this is not wholly addressing the unsustainable costs in terms of investment, technology and discounting.

The group are calling for an “urgent review” of the EV market and the ZEV Mandate to create a more hospitable environment.

Cars like the upcoming ID.3 NEO will need a fair market if it is to continue to be successful in the UK. Having launched in 2019, the ID.3 has been one of the best-selling EV hatchbacks in the UK and Europe.

With the VW group recently announcing a number of upcoming EV projects like the ID.Polo and the ID.Cross, many of us thought that the ID.Golf would be the practical name and product replacement for this amazing product. However, as per the VW press release  the upcoming ID.3 Neo will premiere in mid-April 2026.

Promising some rapid improvements in modern software, the new option will include Travel Assist, One Pedal Driving and the new Innovision infotainment system. The new ID.3 will also include Bidirectional charging, with the V2L 3.6kW output point.

VW are really performing in the world of electric cars, and this remains to be one of the UK’s favourite personal and business cars. With an array of battery sizes and specifications, there has been a solution for most types of customers.

The new ID.3 is promising to bring even more to the customer, with better technology, seamless digital features, more physical controls for the climate and audio, a hard-key steering wheel and improved display.

The latest ID.3 will also benefit from a new “engine” with the APP 350, a 140kW (190ps) system with better torque, function and range. Based on the new lithium-iron phosphate (LFP) high-voltage battery, efficiency is high on the agenda.

UK customers can register their interest in the new ID.3 Neo at the Volkswagen website.

Want to know more about going electric with your new car?

Head to our dedicated Volkswagen special offers section or speak to our experts directly on 01942 910 001 or by emailing us at [email protected]