- A significant 25.25% of new cars sold in the UK in November were fully-electric models, according to New AutoMotive’s latest monthly electric car count.
- The figure indicates that BEVs are getting ever closer to overtaking the market share of petrol cars, which stood at 29% for the month – an all time low for petrols. BEVs also remain a much more popular option than diesel cars, whose market share stood at just 6% for the month.
- The 25.5% figure for November follows EV market share figures of 20.69% and 20.7% for the months of September and October respectively.
EVs continue to gain popularity in the UK
The news also comes the day after Auto Trader UK’s forecast that the UK has hit ‘peak petrol’ – with the total number of petrol cars on UK roads set to drop in the coming years, while the number of EVs on the road will continue to rise.
The 25.5% EV market share is the highest number seen since December 2022, when market share stood at 33.3%. Excluding pure EV brands such as Tesla, the top four best performing brands for EV market share were MINI, Jaguar, Vauxhall, and Peugeot – with figures of 36%, 36%, 29%, and 27% respectively. Meanwhile, BMW Group as a whole sold more EVs in the UK last month than Tesla – a trend we’ve seen consistently from the OEM.
With over 300 different EV models available on the UK market, with that number growing by the month, we can only expect this market share to rise further – ahead of the 2030 EV mandate.
Here’s how some of the industry has reacted to the figures:
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, commented:
“Thanks to the investments and efforts made by carmakers, UK motorists now have more electric options at more competitive prices than ever before. This impressive progress is the result of the combination of ambitious and flexible EV targets, and significant tax breaks for electric cars. This combination of targets and incentives is putting the UK in the fast lane to greater energy independence and cheaper, cleaner motoring.
November’s strong sales are accompanied by billions of investment in charging infrastructure and electric vehicle manufacturing. As global electric car sales wax and wane, the UK’s car market is heading in one direction – and fast. Ministers must not pull the rug under this progress as they revisit UK policy on EVs.”
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles, said:
“This shows clearly that EV sales are growing and that most car brands are making the transition successfully. The ZEV mandate is working, delivering affordability and choice for drivers, and huge private investment in public chargers. With consistent policy the UK can be a global EV leader.
The record-breaking sales figures mean that the country’s EV sales have held their market share of more than 20% for the fourth consecutive month – also a new record. The figures also represent a 51% increase in EV sales when compared to November last year.”
Andy Palmer, Founder of Palmer Automotive and EV UK Advisory Board Member, added:
“It’s clear from the latest number crunching by New AutoMotive that the trend is our friend, consumers are getting behind the wheels of EVs. 1 in every 2.8 new cars now has a plug while 1 in every 4 new cars is fully electric. Also, given uncertainty of 2030 to 2035 regs regarding the definition of hybrids [HEV], it’s noteworthy that 65% of sales are now with a battery and shows the dominance of electrification.”
