New UK car sales jump as BEV demand hits record level

(Sharecast News) - New UK car sales rose strongly in September, with battery electric and hybrid vehicles collectively accounting for more than half of all registrations, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The new car market expanded by 13.7% year-on-year to 312,891 units last month, marking the strongest September sales performance in five years.

Investments by manufacturers and increased model choice, supported by the new all-new electric car grant, drove a 29.1% increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales to 72,779 - the best month on record for BEV volumes.

When combined with 47,885 of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) sales (+23.5%) and 38,308 plug-in HEV sales (+56.4%), electrified vehicles represented 50.8% of all cars sold in September.

The number of petrol vehicles was up 2.4% on last year at 141,310, while diesel vehicle numbers dropped 28.2% to 12,609.

By sector, the private vehicle market increase 8.9% to 120,272, while the fleet units jumped 16.9% to 149,095 and business sales surged 28.6% to 5,872.

The SMMT said that private buyers need to be "re-energised with more confidence" to make the switch to zero-emissions motoring.

"Electrified vehicles are powering market growth after a sluggish summer - and with record ZEV uptake, massive industry investment is paying off, despite demand still trailing ambition," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

"The Electric Car Grant will help to break down one of the barriers holding back more drivers from making the switch - and tackling remaining roadblocks, by unlocking infrastructure investment and driving down energy costs, will be crucial to the success of the industry and the environmental goals we share."