87.9% increase in battery electric vehicle registrations in July

New figures from the SMMT show that there has been a significant increase in the registration of battery electric vehicles this July, up 87.9% since last July.

Electrified vehicles - meaning hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicles, accounted for more than a third (35.4% of the market). Hybrid (HEV) volumes grew, although their overall market share fell to 11.3%. Plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations rose 79.1% to account for 8.1% of the market. The biggest increase, however, was for battery electric vehicles (BEVs), which recorded an 87.9% increase to account for 16.0% of all new registrations for the month.

Overall, the new car market grew 28.3% in July with 143,921 new vehicles registered. Company registrations drove the growth, as uptake by large fleets increased 61.9% to 80,961 units and business registrations rose 28.7% to 2,915 new vehicles. Private demand remained stable at 60,045 units (up 0.3%).

The SMMT says that to reach the government’s minimum target of 300,000 chargepoints by 2030, the installation rate must treble to almost 10,000 chargers per quarter, every quarter.6 This can only be achieved if the obstacles to installation so commonly cited – arcane planning regulations, competing pressures on local authorities and delays to grid connections – are overcome. An overarching strategy, including a chargepoint mandate, is necessary to create the reliable, accessible and affordable charging network consumers deserve.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: "The industry remains committed to meeting the UK’s zero emission deadlines and continues to make the investments to get us there. Choice and innovation in the market are growing, so it’s encouraging to see more people switching on to the benefits of driving electric. With inflation, rising costs of living and a zero emission vehicle mandate that will dictate the market coming next year, however, consumers must be given every possible incentive to buy. Government must pull every lever, therefore, to make buying, running and, especially, charging an EV affordable and practical for every driver in every part of the country.