Sales of PHEVS rise 72 per cent in August 2021

The latest figures from the SMMT have shown that demand for plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles has surged in August, up 72.1 per cent. Sales of battery electric (BEV) vehicles was up 32.2 per cent and hybrid (HEV) sales grew by 45.7 per cent.

Demand for PHEVs has outpaced BEVs in five of the last six months since changes to the Plug-in Car Grant, affecting BEVs, were introduced in March. There are now some 130 plug-in models on the market, with the range ever-increasing.

Overall however, UK new car registrations fell -22.0 per cent in August. 68,033 units were registered in what is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year for new car registrations ahead of the important plate-change in September.

The monthly performance was the weakest since August 2013, and down -7.6 per cent against the average recorded over the last decade, due in part to constrained supply as the global shortage of semiconductors, an issue born of the pandemic, continues to undermine production volumes.

Registrations by private, business and fleet buyers all fell by double digits in the month with fleet purchases down -27.5 per cent, a loss of 12,627 units. Private activity held up better, registrations dropping -15.2 per cent to 33,771 units, meaning that just shy of half (49.6 per cent) of all sales in August were driven by private consumers. The mini segment was the only car bodystyle to see growth, up 30.7%, but with just 902 registrations it is a segment prone to greater fluctuations.

So far this year, UK new car registrations remain up 20.3 per cent , to 1,101,302 registrations, an increase of 185,687 units with BEVs and PHEVs at 8.4% and 6.6% market share respectively. However, this performance is measured against the Covid-hit 2020 market, when showrooms were closed for much of the year. Total registrations in 2021 are -25.3 per cent below the 10 year average for the period January – August, illustrating the ongoing and wide ranging impact of the pandemic on automotive retail.