Electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK reached a record high in September 2023, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Pure battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales increased by nearly 33% to 72,779 units. Additionally, sales of plug-in hybrid vehicles saw even faster growth, leading to fully electric and hybrid vehicles making up over half of all new car registrations for the month.
The SMMT noted that factors such as discounts from manufacturers, a wider variety of models available, and the government’s grant scheme contributed to this increase in sales. Despite the rise in BEV registrations, a significant majority—71.4%—were purchased by businesses or for fleet use. Nevertheless, the number of private buyers for fully electric cars has also grown over the past year, with zero-emission vehicles now representing 22.1% of all new vehicles registered so far in 2023.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, commented that electrified vehicles are supporting market growth following a slow summer. He mentioned that industry investment in electric vehicles is yielding positive results, even though consumer demand may not yet fully align with production goals. The government’s electric car grant scheme provides up to £3,750 off the price of eligible vehicles, aimed at encouraging a transition from petrol and diesel cars.
In September, new vehicle registrations totaled 312,887, marking the strongest performance for that month since 2020. This comes as the UK automotive industry deals with challenges such as US tariffs and production shutdowns stemming from cyber-attacks. The Kia Sportage, Ford Puma, and Nissan Qashqai were the best-selling vehicles for the month, while two Chinese models, the Jaecoo 7 and BYD Seal U, also made the top 10.
The government reported that over 20,000 consumers have benefited from the EV grants, which apply to several well-known brands. The scheme offers discounts on eligible models priced up to £37,000, with the most environmentally friendly vehicles receiving the most significant price reductions.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyd094168go?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss