UK electric car sales hit record levels in September
Electric car registrations hit a new record volume in the UK last month as manufacturer offers attracted more private buyers.
Sales in September were up 24.4% compared with September 2023, with more than 56,300 new battery electric cars registered.
EVs accounted for 20.4% of all new car registrations in September – up from 16.6% a year ago – as the overall market grew just 1%.
In total, 270,000 new EVs have been registered in 2024, second only to petrol in terms of fuel type.
However, the trade body that represents car makers warned the recent increase was due to ‘unprecedented discounting’ and was not sustainable.
The SMMT, which released the data, said that manufacturers were slashing prices in a bid to reach the 22% sales target set by the ZEV mandate – a move calculated to cost them around £2 billion.
It warned that continued discounting on this scale was untenable and ‘threatens manufacturer and retailer viability’.
While private demand for EVs grew 3.6% last month, the SMMT along with 12 major car brands has written to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, highlighting the need for more private sales to reach the ZEV mandate targets. Currently, fleet sales account for three-quarters of EV registrations thanks to generous company car tax and salary sacrifice offers.
In the letter, they ask for government incentives to boost the private EV market, including a VAT cut on new EVs and public charging, and a rethink of plans to tax EVs in the same way as petrol and diesel cars.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “September’s record EV performance is good news, but look under the bonnet and there are serious concerns as the market is not growing quickly enough to meet mandated targets.
“While we appreciate the pressures on the public purse, the Chancellor must use the forthcoming Budget to introduce bold measures on consumer support and infrastructure to get the transition back on track, and with it the economic growth and environmental benefits we all crave.”
