Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) accounted for 25% of new car registrations in November, an almost 60% increase year-on-year and well above a government target manufacturers have called on ministers to relax.
BEVs were the only sector of the car market to see increased sales in November, which saw new registrations down almost 2%, the second consecutive month of contraction and a third in four months the industry blames on the race to meet EV 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 declining to 6.4% market share in the year to date. Hybrid sales, both mild and plug-in, also fell.
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The figures come as manufacturers have stepped up lobbying of ministers to provide support for the industry to meet a target that 22% of all car sales, and 10% of vans, must be zero-emission in 2022.
The industry says EV sales are rising only because of unsustainable discounting totalling £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 EV sales.
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Ford calls for incentives to buy EVs
Last week the business secretary Jonathan Reynolds announced a review of the zero emission mandate, which increases to 28% next year and every year towards the eventual phase out of new internal combustion vehicles in 2030.
His move followed the closure of Vauxhall’s diesel van plant at Luton, a decision owners Stellantis have been considering for some time but blamed on the UK’s environmental targets.
Figures for November also show a decline in fleet car sales, which do benefit from tax breaks for EVs and have driven much of the expansion in recent years. Private sales, which make up the bulk of the UK car market, accounted for just 40% of new registrations.
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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says EV market could reach 19% for the year, short of the 22% target, and that demand for electric cars is weaker than when the target regime was introduced by the Conservative government last year.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “Manufacturers are investing at unprecedented levels to bring new zero emission models to market and spending billions on compelling offers. Such incentives are unsustainable – industry cannot deliver the UK’s world-leading ambitions alone.
“It is right, therefore, that government urgently reviews the market regulation and the support necessary to drive it, given EV registrations need to rise by over a half next year.”
The UK remains the second-largest market for EVs in Europe, with every major UK-based manufacturer (with the exception of Toyota) having committed to new electric models, powertrain or battery production in recent years.
Supporters of rapid decarbonisation of transport argue the figures show that manufacturers are meeting market demand, and that the government would be wrong to relax the headline target because some manufacturers are missing their market share.
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Ben Nelmes, CEO of New Automotive, said: “Thanks to the investments and efforts made by carmakers, UK motorists now have more electric options at more competitive prices than ever before.
“This impressive progress is the result of the combination of ambitious and flexible EV targets, and significant tax breaks for electric cars. This combination of targets and incentives is putting the UK in the fast lane to greater energy independence and cheaper, cleaner motoring.
“As global electric car sales wax and wane, the UK’s car market is heading in one direction – and fast. Ministers must not pull the rug under this progress as they revisit UK policy on EVs.”