According to Bloomberg and Reuters, preliminary industry data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that in November this year, new car registrations in the UK fell 1.9% year-on-year to 153,610. However, due to record discount levels, pure electric vehicle registrations in the UK surged 58.4% year-on-year to 38,581, with the overall market share surpassing the prescribed target for the first time.
New AutoMotive, a transportation research organization, reported that a quarter of the new cars registered in the UK in November were pure electric vehicles, marking the highest monthly electric vehicle market share in the UK in the past two years. New AutoMotive stated that the latest data shows the UK's electric vehicle sales mandate is working.
Fiona Howarth, CEO of electric car rental company Octopus Electric Vehicles, also commented: "The UK's zero-emission vehicle mandate is working, not only attracting significant private investment in public charging stations but also providing affordable prices for consumers."
Under the UK's strict zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) regulations, 22% of new cars sold in the UK this year must be zero-emission vehicles, and by 2030, this proportion will rise to 80%. If the target is not met, automakers could face fines of up to £15,000 (about $19,100) per vehicle. However, they can avoid fines by using a credit trading system and exceeding the target in future years.
New AutoMotive stated that strong electric vehicle sales in the UK in November meant there were enough zero-emission vehicle credits, and no manufacturer in the UK would need to pay a fine this year. However, preliminary data from the SMMT showed that the market share of pure electric vehicles in the UK has remained around 19% so far this year, which is below the target.
Electric vehicle sales in the UK have performed better than in the EU this year, as some UK car dealers have offered deep discounts to stimulate demand, while the removal of EU electric vehicle incentives has dampened demand in major European markets such as Germany.
The November electric vehicle sales in the UK support the views of clean energy advocates like New AutoMotive, who oppose the UK auto industry's efforts to water down the electric vehicle sales mandate. The UK government announced last week that it would review the electric vehicle sales mandate after an outcry from car manufacturers. These manufacturers have complained that the mandate has not stimulated consumer demand for electric vehicles. Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, stated: "British ministers must not hinder the progress of electric vehicles when reviewing UK electric vehicle policy."
In a separate development, shortly after Stellantis announced plans to close a 120-year-old Vauxhall van factory in the UK, British Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds vowed to support the UK auto industry.