UK Battery Electric Vehicle Sales Hit Record High in September
London, UK – Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in the UK surged to a record high in September, accounting for over 50% of all new vehicle registrations, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A total of 312,887 new vehicles were registered last month, a nearly 14% increase year-on-year – marking the best September performance since 2020.
The growth is attributed to factors including the ongoing Electric Car Grant scheme and the “ever-increasing choice of models” available to consumers. more than 20,000 consumers have benefitted from the £650m grant scheme launched earlier this summer, offering discounts of up to £3,750 on 36 electric models.
The overall figure includes both hybrid and battery electric models. Manufacturers are currently mandated to ensure 28% of vehicles sold this year are electric, a target relaxed earlier this year to encompass hybrid vehicles alongside battery-only cars.
“Electrified vehicles are powering market growth after a sluggish summer – and with record ZEV [zero emission vehicles] uptake, massive industry investment is paying off, despite demand still trailing ambition,” said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT. He added that tackling remaining roadblocks, “by unlocking infrastructure investment and driving down energy costs, will be crucial to the success of the industry and the environmental goals we share.”
The SMMT emphasized the need to ”re-energise” private buyers to further accelerate the transition to electric vehicles.
Colin Walker, from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, noted that sales are currently ahead of schedule to meet this year’s target, marking the second consecutive year the mandate is projected to be met. He highlighted that drivers are realizing “hundreds of pounds of savings each year by making the switch to electric.”
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander stated: “Our discounts have sparked a surge in electric car sales, making them cheaper and within reach of more households than ever before.”
