Electric vehicles account for one in four new cars sold – as industry demands sales support

Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 25% of new car registrations in November, an increase of almost 60% year-on-year – and well beyond the government’s target, manufacturers have called on ministers to relax.

BEVs were the only sector of the auto market to see an increase in sales in November, with new registrations falling almost 2%, the second consecutive month of contraction and third in four months that the industry attributes to the race to achieve goals. VE targets.

Petrol registrations fell by almost 18% and account for 53% of new registrations in 2024, with diesel sales falling by more than 10% in November and falling to 6.4% market share since the start of the year. Sales of hybrids, mild and plug-in, have also fallen.

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The figures come as manufacturers stepped up their pressure on ministers to support the industry to meet the target that 22% of all car sales and 10% of van sales must be zero emissions in 2024.

The industry says electric vehicle sales are growing solely because of unsustainable discounts totaling £4bn this year, and this week Ford’s UK managing director told Sky News the government should consider direct cash incentives or tax cuts to support private sales of electric vehicles.

Last week, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced a review of the zero-emissions mandate, increasing to 28% next year and each year thereafter, with a view to a possible phase-out of new vehicles with internal combustion in 2030.

His action follows closure of Vauxhall diesel van plant in Lutona move that Stellantis’ owners have been considering for some time, but blames on the UK’s environmental goals.

The November figures also show a decline in sales of fleet cars, which benefit from tax breaks for electric vehicles and have been responsible for much of the expansion in recent years. Private sales, which make up the majority of the UK car market, account for just 40% of new registrations.

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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said the electric vehicle market could reach 19% for the year – short of the 22% target – adding that demand for electric cars is weaker than when the targets regime was introduced by the Conservative government last year. .

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Manufacturers are investing at unprecedented levels to bring new zero-emission models to market and spending billions on attractive deals. Such incentives are unsustainable: industry alone cannot achieve the UK’s global leadership ambitions.

“It is therefore right that the Government urgently reviews market regulation and the support needed to implement it, given that electric vehicle registrations are set to increase by more than half next year. »

The UK remains the second largest market for electric vehicles in Europe, with all major UK-based manufacturers (except Toyota) committed to producing new electric models, powertrains or batteries in recent years. years.

Supporters of rapid decarbonization of transport say the figures show manufacturers are responding to market demand and that the government would be wrong to relax the overall target because some manufacturers are missing out on market share.

Ben Nelmes, managing director of New Automotive, said: “Thanks to investment and effort by car manufacturers, UK motorists now have more electric options at more competitive prices than ever before.

“This impressive progress is the result of a combination of ambitious and flexible electric vehicle targets and significant tax breaks for electric cars. This combination of targets and incentives puts the UK on the fast track to greater energy independence and cheaper, cleaner motoring.

“As global electric car sales rise and fall, the UK car market is heading in one direction – and fast. Ministers must not pull the rug out from under this progress as they revisit UK electric vehicle policy.