EVs make up a quarter of February new car sales – SMMT
Electric vehicles accounted for more than a quarter of February new car sales, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Its figures revealed that EV registrations rose 41.7% to 21,244 in the month, securing a 25.3% market share compared with 17.7% a year ago.
The SMMT is predicting continued growth in EV sales this month, ahead of April’s introduction of the Expensive Car Supplement, which will add £2,125 over six years to the cost of EVs with a list price above £40,000.
Meanwhile, SMMT figures also revealed that plug-in hybrid vehicle sales were up 19.3% during February and hybrid electric vehicle sales increased by 7.9%.
This is in contrast to an overall decline in total new car sales of one per cent to 84,054 units. February is usually the lowest month of the year in terms of sales volumes, but last month’s figures mean new car sales have now fallen for five months in a row. Fleet registrations fell by four per cent while private registrations rose by 4.6%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Although February’s figures show a subdued overall market, the good news is that electric car uptake is increasing, albeit at huge cost to manufacturers in terms of market support.
“It is always dangerous, however, to draw conclusions from a single month, especially one as small and volatile as February. With the all-important March number plate change now upon us, and tax changes taking effect in April that will, perversely, dissuade EV purchases, we expect significant demand for these new products next month – but, long term, EV consumers need carrots, not ever more sticks.”
