Cars with plugs in demand

The UK’s new car market fell by two per cent last month after 82,908 units were sold, compared with 84,575 in the same month of 2024.

However, battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations were boosted by a new fiscal incentive from government and increased 14.9 per cent to reach a market share of 26.5 per cent – the highest this year and the fourth highest on record.

Demand for plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) rose by 69.4 per cent in August to clinch an 11.8 per cent market share, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

As for hybrid models, sales fell by 13.9 per cent and accounted for 11.4 per cent of registrations.

Fleet uptake dominated the overall sector and accounted for 59.1 per cent of sales.

Ford’s Puma was the top-seller last month with 2,457 units, followed by the Kia Sportage on 1,785 and Tesla’s Model Y with 1,650.

Year-to-date, the UK market is up 2.1 per cent from last year and has hit a five-year peak of 1.265 million units, but it remains 16.7 per cent down on pre-pandemic levels.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, says: “August was the best month yet this year for EV market share and, while it is often volatile due to low overall volumes, the overall trend is positive. 

“September will be critical, with the new number plate factor typically driving around one in seven new car registrations for the year.

“There is now a vast choice of electric models across all segments and many consumers will also, for the first time in three years, benefit from a grant to help them switch to electric.”