Record demand for alternatively fuelled cars in November

Demand for the latest battery electric cars surged by 228.8 per cent in November, with 4,652 registered, according to figures by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The markets for plug-in hybrids and hybrids also rose by 34.8 per cent and 15.0 per cent respectively. Elsewhere, petrol grew 2.0 per cent, making up the majority of registrations (62.2%), as diesel fell -27.2 per cent.

Overall, the UK new car market fell -1.3% in November, with 156,621 models registered.

In November, the decline was driven primarily by weak private demand, registrations down -6.1%, while the business market also fell, down -3.2%, but fleet registrations fared better, up 2.8%. For the second consecutive month, total alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) registrations reached a record market share, with more than one in 10 cars joining UK roads either hybrid, plug-in hybrid or pure electric – equivalent to 16,052 cars.

Year-to-date, the overall UK new car market is down -2.7%, with 2.2 million cars registered, in line with current industry forecasts.