The UK recently achieved a remarkable milestone in the electric vehicle (EV) market. Last month, over 25% of all car registrations were electric, according to the latest statistics from New AutoMotive. This record-breaking sales figure not only indicates a significant shift in the automotive landscape but also showcases the growing popularity and acceptance of EVs among UK motorists.

Unleashing the Electric Revolution in the UK

Domestic Firms Leading the Way

Mini, operating out of Oxford, saw their electric models account for 37% of their total new car sales. The BMW Group even outperformed Tesla last month, demonstrating the prowess of domestic manufacturers in the EV space. Other strong performers included Jaguar (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 reaching 21% and 19% respectively. This shows that domestic firms are at the forefront of the EV revolution, providing consumers with a wide range of choices.

Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, emphasized the importance of these investments and efforts. "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 is putting the UK in the fast lane to greater energy independence and cheaper, cleaner motoring."

The performance of these domestic firms is not only beneficial for the consumers but also for the overall economy. It shows that the UK is well on its way to becoming a global EV leader.

Peak Petrol and the Decline of Petrol Cars

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," and the number of petrol cars on the road is set to tumble by almost half over the next decade.

The forecasts from the UK's leading online vehicle platform show that 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, the overall stock of diesel engine vehicles is also sliding from 10m to 4.3m. This shift towards EVs is a clear indication of the changing times and the growing demand for sustainable transportation.

Dan Caesar, CEO Electric Vehicles UK, highlighted the enthusiasm of buyers. "The UK EV market is now more than 1 in 4 new car sales with enthusiastic buyers and remarkable used sales growth. This definitively demonstrates that real world consumers want battery electric vehicles."

The Impact of the ZEV Mandate

The performance of the UK's EV market has led to a significant increase in the ZEV mandate credit surplus. No manufacturer will need to pay fines or make buyout payments to the Government this year. This is a testament to the success of the ZEV mandate in driving the adoption of EVs.

Quentin Willson, Founder FairCharge, and EVUK advisory board member, emphasized the role of the ZEV Mandate. "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 recognizing the hi-tech value and lower running costs of electric cars."

Andy Palmer, Founder Palmer Automotive and EVUK advisory board member, also pointed out the dominance of electrification. "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 the uncertainty of 2030 to 2035 regs regarding the definition of hybrids [HEV], it's noteworthy that 65% of sales are now with a battery."

The Role of Charging Infrastructure

The fourth month in a row of sustained and solid new EV sales shows that consumer demand for these cars is strong. And the charging infrastructure needed to support these vehicles is also in place. With 71,000 public chargers currently in place and thousands more being installed every month, the UK is well on its way to providing a seamless charging experience for EV owners.

Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, emphasized the importance of the ZEV Mandate's sales quotas. "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."

Ian Plummer, Auto Trader Commercial Director, also highlighted the significance of this shift. "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."

Ginny Buckley, Founder Electrifying.com, stressed the need for incentives. "New AutoMotive's analysis reflects the fact that the car industry has stepped up and introduced more affordable models. 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 hitting our net-zero targets more efficiently."