Electric car sales boom not enough to meet UK’s green vehicle targets, industry expert warns
The UK’s new car market experienced an increase of 11.4 per cent last month; This increase was driven primarily by increasing demand for battery electric vehicles (EVs).
A total of 213,166 new cars were registered, representing the highest June total since 2019, a significant increase from the 191,316 units in June last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Registrations of fully battery-electric cars increased by 35.0 percent, increasing their market share to 30.0 percent from 24.8 percent a year ago.
While the SMMT hailed these EV sales figures as “significant”, it highlighted that the industry still faces a government-mandated minimum zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) target of 33 per cent for new cars sold by every manufacturer this year.
This target mainly refers to fully electric models.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “June’s performance is very strong, showing that electric car purchasing is on the rise, with battery electric cars reaching their highest market share this year and more than half of buyers opting for electric models.
“But even these record levels are still not enough to meet mandatory targets.
“Manufacturers are investing billions of dollars to develop vehicles and bring them to market, and billions more to sell them, but the market is still not moving fast enough.
“Realigning the role is vital not only to keep the transition on track, but also to maintain the UK’s competitiveness, attract investment and secure jobs.”
Ian Plummer, chief customer officer of online vehicle marketplace Autotrader, attributed the growth in EV sales to “intensifying competition and growing consumer interest.”
But he warned that the “wider context” for electric vehicles “remains fragile”, citing “continuing uncertainty around policy, incentives and wider external pressures”.
Adam Wood, chief executive of manufacturer Renault, where electric vehicles account for 37% of new car sales, said: “The recent oil price crisis has given a significant boost to the EV market and highlighted one of the key benefits of making the switch: affordability.
“We are at a turning point where stylish, practical and capable electric vehicles are offered at attractive prices.”
Delvin Lane, CEO of ultra-fast public EV charging operator InstaVolt, said the increase in market share for new EVs “won’t happen without trust in the charging network,” adding that “there’s never been a better time to make the switch.”
