Nearly a quarter of vehicles sold in the UK last month were battery electric (BEV) models, according to industry figures.<\/p>\n
More than 72,000 new BEVs were registered in September, accounting for 23.3% of the total market, the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.<\/p>\n
It described the figures – a 29% rise on the 56,000 BEVs sold in September 2024 – as “the best month on record for BEV volumes”.<\/p>\n
The motor lobby group attributed the increase to the government’s Electric Car Grant scheme<\/a>, as well as factors such as the “ever-increasing choice of models” in the sector.<\/p>\n More than 20,000 consumers have taken advantage since the \u00a3650m grant scheme was launched earlier this summer. It offers discounts of up to \u00a33,750 on 36 electric models.<\/p>\n Overall, the SMMT said just over 50% of the 312,887 new vehicles registered last month were electric models<\/a>, including both hybrid and battery types.<\/p>\n The total number of newly registered cars and other vehicles was up nearly 14% compared to last year, the best September performance since 2020, it added.<\/p>\n Manufacturers have been set a target of ensuring 28% of vehicles sold this year must be electric, although the mandate was relaxed earlier this year<\/a> to include hybrid as well as battery-only cars.<\/p>\n Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, said: “Electrified vehicles are powering market growth after a sluggish summer – and with record ZEV [zero emission vehicles] uptake, massive industry investment is paying off, despite demand still trailing ambition.<\/p>\n “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.”<\/p>\n However, the SMMT said more still needed to be done to “re-energise” private buyers to switch to electric.<\/p>\n Read more from Sky News:
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