Almost 100,000 new electric cars were registered in the UK last month, according to new data, as zero emission vehicles recorded their strongest month to date.
As dealerships across the nation celebrate “new reg plate month” with the introduction of the “76” registration, more than 350,000 new vehicles were sold.
Preliminary analysis from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows that 99,199 new electric vehicles were sold in September.
This represents a huge 36.3 per cent year-on-year growth, while achieving the highest ever total for new EV registrations to date.
The massive jump in new electric car sales means almost five EVs were sold every minute, the SMMT outlined.
Electric vehicles captured 28.3 per cent of the total market share, although petrol remains the largest segment with 131,861 sales and a 37.6 per cent market share.
September’s strong performance marks the 10th consecutive month of sales growth and the strongest September since 2017.
It also marked a 12.7 per cent rise in year-on-year sales, proving that the release of new number plates continues to have a significant impact on car sales.
September saw almost 100,000 new electric car sales, marking the best-ever month for EVs
|
GETTY
Almost 180 different electric car models are available on the UK market, with dozens of vehicles eligible for the Government’s Electric Car Grant, delivering potential savings of up to £3,750.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, described the sales performance as a “major achievement”, but warned that challenges remain with the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate.
He said: “Despite all these factors, uptake remains behind mandated targets and, whilst flexibilities help, the UK still has the world’s toughest targets and highest energy costs.
“The mandate review is an opportunity to review those factors, to build on this momentum and support consumers but, in doing so, strengthen business viability and UK competitiveness.”
The Tesla Model 3 was the UK’s best-selling electric car in September
|
TESLAVicky Edmonds, CEO of EVA England, took an alternative view, arguing that almost 100,000 EV sales should “reinforce the case for stability in the ZEV mandate”.
“That’s clear evidence that growing numbers of drivers are convinced electric works for them,” she added.
Preliminary data from the SMMT shows that Tesla dominated the best-selling list of electric vehicles, with 9,929 sales of the Model 3 and 5,946 Model Ys rolling off dealership lots.
Chinese brands also made a strong impression, with the BYD Sealion 7 placing third (3,191 sales), BYD Seal in fourth (3,184 sales), and the Leapmotor B10 in tenth (1,883 sales).
The BYD Sealion 7 was the third best-selling electric vehicle in September
|
BYD
Tanya Sinclair, CEO of Electric Vehicles UK, stated that the impressive sales performance of almost 100,000 EVs should “end the debate about whether drivers want EVs”.
She added: “The fact that Government is even considering weakening policy in this area shows just how badly it risks falling out of step with public opinion. Drivers are moving forward. Government needs to keep up.”
The record sales figures come as data confirms that the average price of diesel has hit a record £2 per litre, with Gurjeet Grewal, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, highlighting that EV charging can now be an astonishing nine times cheaper than fuelling a petrol car.
“Drivers are looking for ways to shield themselves from the next fossil fuel price hike, and electric is the obvious answer,” Mr Grewal said.