Electric vehicles buck car sales trends in November

6th Dec 2019

Demand for all types of electric cars surged by 228.8% in November compared to the same month in 2018.

Meanwhile, the new car market suffered a 1.3% decline overall when compared with November 2018.

Hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles (BEVs) made up one in 10 (10.3%) of all vehicle sales last month, the second month in a row that alternative fuel vehicles reached a record market share.

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The new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 27.2% fewer diesel cars were sold last month compared to last year, although they retain a 23.6% market share.

Registrations of petrol vehicles improved by 2%, with the vehicles claiming the greatest market share with 60.2%.

Year-to-date sales paint a similar picture as the new car market has been hit by a 2.7% fall in sales.

Battery electric vehicles reported a year-to-date improvement of 135.6% compared with last year, thanks to 32,911 new registrations in 2019 compared to 13,970 last year.

“These are challenging times for the UK new car market, with another fall in November reflecting the current climate of uncertainty,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.

“It’s good news, however, to see registrations of electrified cars surging again, and 2020 will see manufacturers introduce plenty of new, exciting models to give buyers even more choice.”

Michael Woodward, UK automotive lead at Deloitte, said: “After significant investment in the technology by manufacturers, the growth of BEVs is welcomed in the industry.

“Demand for BEVs is also expected to accelerate when 0% company car tax rates on zero-emission vehicles are likely introduced in April 2020. However, this level of growth presents a number of challenges as we enter a new decade.

“Not only is significant investment required in the UK’s charging infrastructure, but as BEVs continue to grow, the long-term implications for tax revenues are unclear.”

Best-selling cars in the UK – November 2019