Nearly a quarter of vehicles sold in the UK last month were battery electric (BEV) models, according to industry figures. More than 72,000 new BEVs were registered in September, accounting for 23.3% of the total market, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
The SMMT described the figures as the best month on record for BEV volumes, with a 29% increase compared to the 56,000 BEVs sold in September 2024. This significant growth was attributed to factors such as the government’s Electric Car Grant scheme and the expanding range of electric vehicle models available in the market.
Since the launch of the £650 million grant scheme earlier this summer, over 20,000 consumers have taken advantage of discounts of up to £3,750 on 36 different electric models. Overall, electric models, including hybrids and battery types, made up just over 50% of the 312,887 new vehicles registered last month, marking the best September performance since 2020.
Manufacturers have been tasked with ensuring that 28% of vehicles sold this year are electric, although the mandate was relaxed earlier this year to include hybrid vehicles as well. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, noted that electrified vehicles are driving market growth, with record zero-emission vehicle uptake demonstrating the success of industry investment.
The Electric Car Grant has been instrumental in encouraging more drivers to make the switch to electric vehicles, addressing barriers such as infrastructure investment and energy costs to support the industry’s environmental goals. Despite the progress, the SMMT emphasized the need to further incentivize private buyers to transition to electric vehicles.
Commenting on the figures, Colin Walker from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit highlighted the growing demand for electric cars and the positive impact of the UK’s EV policy flexibilities on sales performance. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also praised the surge in electric car sales, attributing it to the accessibility and affordability of electric vehicles for households.
In conclusion, the automotive industry is experiencing a significant shift towards electric vehicles, driven by government incentives, industry investments, and consumer demand. The continued growth of electric vehicle sales reflects a positive trajectory towards achieving environmental goals and reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector. Nearly a quarter of vehicles sold in the UK last month were battery electric (BEV) models, according to industry figures. More than 72,000 new BEVs were registered in September, accounting for 23.3% of the total market, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said. It described the figures – a 29% rise on the 56,000 BEVs sold in September 2024 – as «the best month on record for BEV volumes». The motor lobby group attributed the increase to the government’s Electric Car Grant scheme, as well as factors such as the «ever-increasing choice of models» in the sector. More than 20,000 consumers have taken advantage since the £650m grant scheme was launched earlier this summer. It offers discounts of up to £3,750 on 36 electric models. Overall, the SMMT said just over 50% of the 312,887 new vehicles registered last month were electric models, including both hybrid and battery types. The total number of newly registered cars and other vehicles was up nearly 14% compared to last year, the best September performance since 2020, it added. Manufacturers have been set a target of ensuring 28% of vehicles sold this year must be electric, although the mandate was relaxed earlier this year to include hybrid as well as battery-only cars. Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: «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. «The Electric Car Grant will help to break down one of the barriers holding back more drivers from making the switch – and 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.» However, the SMMT said more still needed to be done to «re-energise» private buyers to switch to electric. Read more from Sky News: Baroness Mone attacks ‘reckless’ Badenoch Customer details stolen in Renault cyber attack Cotswold Company lays groundwork for sale Commenting on the figures, Colin Walker, from the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, said: «Demand for electric cars is up again and factoring in the flexibilities the car industry lobbied for in the UK’s EV policy, sales are now ahead of where they need to be to hit this year’s target. «That would be two years in a row that the targets would have been hit and drivers are making hundreds of pounds of savings each year by making the switch to electric.» Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander added: «Our discounts have sparked a surge in electric car sales, making them cheaper and within reach of more households than ever before.»
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