The UK achieved a new milestone in electric vehicle (EV) adoption last month, with EVs accounting for over 25% of all car registrations in November, according to New AutoMotive’s Electric Car Count.
This marks the highest market share for EVs since December 2022 and represents a 51% year-on-year growth.
For the fourth consecutive month, EVs have sustained a market share of over 20%, while petrol car registrations hit a record low of just 29% – a sharp decline of more than a third since the start of the year.
The strong EV sales have bolstered the car industry’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate credit surplus, effectively shielding manufacturers from fines or government buyout payments for 2023.
Domestic car makers led the charge in November. Mini saw EVs make up 37% of their total sales, with parent company BMW Group selling more EVs than Tesla during the month. Other top performers included Jaguar (36%), Vauxhall (36%), Peugeot (29%), and MG (27%).
Even Volkswagen and Ford, traditionally lagging in EV sales, exceeded targets with 21% and 19% market shares, respectively.
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive said: “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 of targets and incentives is putting the UK in the fast lane to greater energy independence and cheaper, cleaner motoring.
“November’s strong sales are accompanied by billions of investment in charging infrastructure and electric vehicle manufacturing. As global electric car sales wax and wane, the UK’s car market is heading in one direction – and fast. Ministers must not pull the rug under this progress as they revisit UK policy on EVs.”