According to recent data, UK electric vehicle (EV) registrations in August 2023 were more than 70% higher than the same month in 2022. This indicates increasing EV adoption in the country. According to New AutoMotive, 16,200 electric vehicles were registered in August, up 77.1% year-on-year. The Society of Automobile Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported slightly different numbers: 17,243 registered battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and a 72.3% increase.
BEV market share hit a record 20.1% in August, the highest share since December 2022. In addition, plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) accounted for 7.7% of new registrations, while hybrid passenger cars (HEVs) accounted for a market share of 10%. Together, registrations of all-electric and part-electric vehicles accounted for 37.8% of the market share.
The data also showed that electric vans and battery-powered trucks recorded a significant number of registrations. Battery-powered vans accounted for 8.3% of new van registrations, compared to 7.8% a year earlier. The registration rate for heavy-duty electric vehicles reached a record 51%.
On the other hand, new registrations of both gasoline and diesel vehicles hit record lows, with both vehicle types having their lowest share of new vehicles in a 12-month period since 2003.
AutoMotive’s new CEO, Ben Nelmes, said he was excited about the growing demand for electric cars despite economic challenges. He emphasized the benefits of lower running costs, a smoother driving experience, and a guilt-free drive that electric vehicles offer. Nelmes called on the government to introduce a strict zero-emission vehicle mandate, similar to that in California, to provide reassurance for automakers and installers of electric vehicle chargers.
As EV adoption accelerates, SMMT CEO Mike Hawes expressed concern at the lack of detail on the expected zero-emission vehicle mandate, which will come into effect in January 2024. Hawes stressed that the government must provide safety, incentives, and infrastructure to encourage motorists to switch to electric vehicles.
