EVs enjoy record uptake in the UK but still too slow to meet targets, warns SMMT
In the first eight months of this year, purely electric car uptake reached 25.6 per cent while the month of August saw a 29.8 per cent share of newly registered cars. While both figures represent a record high, the SMMT warns this is still significantly below the 33 per cent headline mandate target. Electric vans also enjoyed greater uptake though similarly a long way off targets.
Including hybrids, more than half of all newly registered cars in August in the UK were electrified. For purely electric vehicles (BEVs), according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), Great Britain saw 28,063 purely electric cars newly registered in August, representing an increase of 27.7 per cent compared with the same month last year.
Of all powertrain types, electrified cars made the greatest gains. Petrol-powered cars were the only major powertrain to see registrations decline, falling 3.5 per cent year on year. The strongest growth came from cars mixing the two, as plug-in hybrid electric cars (PHEVs) saw monthly growth of 39.8 per cent, accounting for 14 per cent of all new registrations. Vehicles using petrol engines with an additional electric motor charged internally (HEVs), also saw an increase in registrations, up 26.3 per cent with 12.7 per cent of the market.
All in all, electric cars (BEVs) are now making the highest percentage of new registrations with 29.8 per cent of overall uptake in August. BEV registrations increased by 27.7 per cent year on year. According to SMMT, this represented was the second-highest monthly share of the year so far, noting that there has been a seasonal spike every August since 2023, amplified by otherwise lower overall volumes.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said, “August was a bright spot for the new car market and another strong month for electric car uptake, showing that motorists are responding to the huge choice and compelling offers available.” However, he also noted that the real test will come in September figures, since August is a low-volume month, “so September will be the acid test.”
The SMMT described a market in which UK drivers wanting to switch to an electric vehicle enjoy “highly compelling” offerings of more than 170 zero-emission models across every segment. These are also supported by “generous” manufacturer incentives and government support, noted the trade organisation.
Commercial EVs saw growth, but too slowly for targets
Electric vans also reached a record market share in August, with registrations rising 25.9 per cent to 2,395 units and a record 16.3 per cent market share. At the same time, the SMMT warned that this transition is not moving anywhere near fast enough.
More than two in three van models on sale are now electric, and commercial vehicle owners are offered substantial manufacturer discounts and government incentives. Even so, the market share of electric vehicles in the overall light commercial vehicle market year to date is still just 11 per cent – less than half of the 24 per cent ZEV Mandate target for 2026, warned the SMMT.
Hawes said, “With EV demand remaining drastically adrift of mandate targets, government’s decision to bring forward its review is essential, and meaningful change will be required to sustain a market that keeps the economy moving.”