Quarter of all new cars sold in November fully electric
The UK hit a new electric vehicle (EV) sales record last month, with over 25% of all car registrations in November being electric – according to the latest statistics from New AutoMotive.
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.
Meanwhile, new petrol car registrations crashed to an all-time low of 29% in November, pushing their market share down by more than a third since the beginning of the year.
According to separate Auto Trader analysis, the UK has reached “peak petrol” with the number of petrol cars on the road set to tumble by almost half over the next decade.
The forecasts from the UK’s leading online vehicle platform show the number of petrol cars in the UK’s car parc of 32.8m vehicles is set to decline from the current 18.7m to just 11.1m by 2034 as drivers move towards electric vehicles.
Over the same period, the number of EVs on Britain’s roads is set to rise from 1.25m to 13.7m as the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel powered vehicles by 2030 draws ever closer, while the overall stock of diesel engine vehicles slides from 10m to 4.3m, according to Auto Trader’s data.
The performance of the UK’s EV market means that the car industry’s ZEV mandate credit surplus has almost doubled, meaning that no manufacturer will need to pay fines or make buyout payments to the Government this year.
When it comes to manufacturers, domestic firms are leading the way. Mini, who operate out of Oxford, saw their electric models equate to 37% of their total new car sales, with the BMW Group selling more EVs than Tesla last month.
Other strong performers throughout November include Jaguar (with 36% of total car sales being electric), Vauxhall (36%), Peugeot (29%), Renault (27%), MG (27%) and Skoda (23%). VW and Ford also exceeded their targets, with their EV market share totally 21% and 19% respectively.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive said:
“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.”
Industry reaction:
Dan Caesar, CEO Electric Vehicles UK:
“The UK EV market is now more than 1 in 4 new car sales with enthusiastic buyers and remarkable used sales growth, up from almost 1 in 7 new car buyers and tame used sales this time last year, the trend is clear. This definitively demonstrates that real world consumers want battery electric vehicles.”
Fiona Howarth, CEO of Octopus Electric Vehicles:
“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.
Quentin Willson, Founder FairCharge, and EVUK advisory board member:
“November’s record EV registration figures – up over 50% compared to Nov 2023 – show that consumers are busting the myth that EV sales are falling. The ZEV Mandate is working and increasing numbers of buyers are recognising the hi-tech value and lower running costs of electric cars.”
Andy Palmer, Founder Palmer Automotive and EVUK advisory board member:
“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.”
Ginny Buckley, Founder Electrifying.com:
“New AutoMotive’s analysis of public data reflects the fact that the car industry has stepped up and introduced more affordable models, which is clearly having a positive impact on the uptake of electric vehicles. However, registrations to fleets and businesses – both heavily incentivised – are still driving this switch in the main, which is perfectly reasonable for a new technology.
“However, to enable more private buyers to embark on their electric journey, the Government needs to introduce incentives for both new and used electric cars. Buoyant sales of second hand EVs will be key to us hitting our net-zero targets more efficiently.
“They should follow the lead set by the Scottish Government and introduce a subsidised loan to help car buyers in the market for a used electric vehicle. This would not only help to increase demand, but could also make finance on new cars more affordable by improving residual values. This will ensure nobody gets left behind on the electric journey.”
Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, said:
“The fourth month in a row of sustained and solid new EV sales show that consumer demand for these cars is there in spades.
“The charging infrastructure needed to support these vehicles is also there, with 71,000 public chargers currently in place and thousands more being installed every month.
“It’s imperative that we keep this charging momentum going and this is why the ZEV Mandate’s sales quotas are so important. They give charging investors the confidence to keep deploying ahead of demand.
“ChargeUK’s members are committed to investing £6 billion by 2030, any altering to the mandate will put this investment at risk and therefore the infrastructure that is essential for the automotive sector to sell EVs and for the UK to meet its net zero goals.”
Ian Plummer, Auto Trader Commercial Director, commented:
“Peak petrol is a genuine landmark for the UK. We expect to see a seismic shift in British motoring over the next decade as the number of petrol cars falls by nearly half and EVs take a much bigger share.
“All this is happening against the backdrop of exceptionally strong used car demand despite a range of challenges for the industry, not least the introduction of ZEV targets, constrained supply, changing finance rules, and the Budget.
“We’re seeing record levels of engagement on our platform, rapid speed of sale, and the stabilising of retail prices. And with the more attractively priced and available stock in recent months helping to fuel new car interest, the overall retail market is entering 2025 on a strong footing.”
Warren Phillips, Chairman of EVA England says:
“EVs making up a quarter of all new cars sold last month is a huge show of support for the sector and a sure sign that drivers are feeling confident making the switch. EVs are firmly entering the mainstream and are fast becoming the option of choice. Now is the time for the Government to press on, to ensure all drivers are given an equal opportunity to afford to make the switch and enjoy a seamless driving and charging experience.”
Commenting on today’s car registration figures for the UK, which show that a quarter of all cars were electric vehicles (EVs) in November, Dominic Phinn, Head of Transport at Climate Group, says:
“Today’s stats underline what companies across sectors have been saying over the past weeks and months: the UK is moving into the direction of EVs – and it needs to keep going. Businesses are switching their car fleets at scale, and that will bleed into the second-hand market. Leading companies are driving us into a zero-emission transport future and the Government needs to use that momentum to drive industrial growth and the uptake amongst consumers. That means protecting the ZEV Mandate at all costs, creating new incentives for consumers, and making the UK’s charging and grid infrastructure one of its core missions. If the Prime Minister is announcing an agenda for change today, this needs to be part of it.”
Commenting on November’s new car registration figures, Toby Poston, BVRLA Director of Corporate Affairs said:
“Today’s registration data shows that ZEV registrations are heading in the right direction, but the market remains imbalanced. Electric vehicle sales are still being propped up by unsustainable levels of discounting from OEMs and the huge depreciation being absorbed by leasing companies. Demand is still too fragile on the consumer side, which is a critical piece of the puzzle if the targets are to be hit year on year.
“New EV registrations tell but half the story. The used market props up the new, with massive depreciation on electric vehicles threatening to bring both to a standstill. The leasing sector accounts for roughly two in three new BEV vehicles purchased. The sector has spent an estimated £32bn on new BEVs since 2018. In return, it has been left to shoulder the cost of collapsing used BEV values and high depreciation. It cannot afford to do that indefinitely.
“A healthy new car market does not exist without a buoyant used one to absorb its supply. If the UK is to meet its mandate targets, government support for used EVs is overdue.”
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
