Record-High 25% of Cars Sold in UK in November Were Electric

The United Kingdom set a new record for electric vehicle (EV) sales in November, with more than 25 percent of total car registrations being for EVs, according to the most recent statistics from New AutoMotive.

The latest figures mean EV sales in the country have held more than 20 percent of the market share for the fourth month in a row — also a record-breaking number, reported Transport and Energy.

“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,” said Quentin Willson, advisory board member of EVUK and founder of FairCharge, as Transport and Energy reported.

Sales of gas-powered cars in Britain have fallen to a record low as manufacturers conserve supplies in order to meet strict EV targets, reported The Telegraph.

Only 29 percent of new car sales last month were fossil fuel vehicles, a New Automotive analysis of registrations said — down from 42 percent the previous year.

According to Auto Trader, gas-powered cars will “peak” in 2024 before going into permanent decline. The number of fossil fuel vehicles is predicted to fall from 18.7 to 11.1 million in the coming decade, Auto Trader said.

“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,” said Ian Plummer, commercial director for Auto Trader, as Transport and Energy reported.

Meanwhile, EV numbers are expected to rise from 1.25 to 13.7 million, The Telegraph said.

The big market shift is being pushed by government “ZEV mandates” — legally enforced EV sales targets — that compel manufacturers and drivers to transition to EVs.

The rules stipulate that 22 percent of auto sales must be electric in 2024, rising to 28 percent in 2025, with an annual increase reaching 80 percent by the end of the decade.

Manufacturers that go over the sales limit for gas-powered cars could be fined as much as 15,000 pounds per vehicle, though there are “flexibilities” built into the mandate, like carbon credit trading.

Some manufacturers — including Ford, Nissan and Stellantis — say the rules are too stringent, with consumer demand not as strong as expected and EV prices continuing to deter a number of drivers.

Manufacturers are encouraging ministers to either relax the requirements or use consumer incentives to increase EV demand.

“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,” said Ginny Buckley, founder of Electrifying.com, as reported by Transport and Energy. “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.”

In anticipation of booming EV sales, charging companies have put billions toward infrastructure and want to see the government hold its ground, The Telegraph reported.

“It’s imperative that we keep this momentum going and this is why the ZEV mandate’s sales quotas are so important,” said Vicky Read, ChargeUK’s chief executive, as reported by The Telegraph. “They give charging investors the confidence to keep deploying ahead of demand.”