184% rise in battery electric vehicle sales this September

Battery electric and plug-in hybrid car uptake grew substantially in September to account for more than one in 10 registrations, according to SMMT figures.

Demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increased by 184.3% compared with September last year, with the month accounting for a third of all 2020’s BEV registrations.

Overall however, the UK new car market declined -4.4% in September and represents the weakest September since the introduction of the dual number plate system in 1999 and some -15.8% lower than the 10-year average of around 390,000 units for the month.

Private registrations fell by -1.1% over the month, while there were around 10,000 fewer cars joining larger fleets, representing a -5.8% decline.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "During a torrid year, the automotive industry has demonstrated incredible resilience, but this is not a recovery. Despite the boost of a new registration plate, new model introductions and attractive offers, this is still the poorest September since the two-plate system was introduced in 1999. Unless the pandemic is controlled and economy-wide consumer and business confidence rebuilt, the short-term future looks very challenging indeed."