New car sales rise 12% as EV uptake surges
New car sales in the UK rose 12.4% to 357,103 units in March, according to new figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Fleet registrations rose 11.5%, while private buyer uptake increased by 14.5%.
In terms of fuel types, hybrid sales were up 27.7%, plug-in hybrids rise 37.9%, and electric vehicles increased a massive 43.2%. As a result, March became the largest month ever for registrations of electric cars with 69,313 sales.
However, this accounted for just a 19.4% market share, which is more than eight per cent lower than targets set by the ZEV Mandate.
Year to date, however, EV uptake comprises 20.7% of the market, highlighting the importance of government incentives and mandatory targets for chargepoint rollout to reassure consumers and stimulate EV demand.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “A welcome return to growth, and substantial growth at that, is a fillip for the industry. Moreover, with March being the best month ever for electric car registrations, there is reason for optimism. Manufacturers remain committed to the market decarbonisation the country and the environment demands, but we need sustained growth, not a short-term bubble driven by unsustainable manufacturer discounting and drivers rushing to beat a tax hike.
“Without substantive government support for consumers, the current regulatory regime is undeliverable. A rapid response to the government consultation is therefore needed – one that adds flexibilities that reflect the natural level of demand and supports the industry to deliver growth in the face of a tough set of global challenges.”
