Electric car sales up 10% but below ZEV targets

The UK new car market was down 1.3% in August despite a 10.8% rise in electric car sales, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

It reported that 84,575 units were registered, which is just 1,082 fewer than in the same month last year.

Continuing the recent trend, fleet purchases drove the market, accounting for six in 10 cars registered last month, or 51,329 units, while registrations by private buyers was up 0.2% and business registrations fell 30.3%.

Petrol and diesel uptake fell by 10.1% and 7.3% respectively, but together still accounted for 56.8% of all new car uptake in August. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations declined 12.3% to take a 6.8% share, and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uptake increased by 36.1% to a 13.8% market share.

Pure electric sales rose 10.8%, driving market share in August to 22.6%. Year to date, the BEV market share has edged up to 17.2% and is expected to rise further to 18.5%, or 364,000 registrations. However, this is remains below the 22% required by the ZEV Mandate.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said:

“August’s EV growth is welcome, but it’s always a very low volume month and so subject to distortions ahead of September’s number plate change. The introduction of the new 74 plate, together with a raft of compelling offers and discounts from manufacturers, plus growing model choice, will help increase purchase consideration and be a true barometer for market demand. Encouraging a mass market shift to EVs remains a challenge, however, and urgent action must be taken to help buyers overcome affordability issues and concerns about chargepoint provision.”