In a notable development for the United Kingdom’s automotive industry, new passenger car registrations in August surged by 24 percent year-over-year to reach 85,657 units. This robust performance in August marks the eighth consecutive month of growth in 2023, contributing to a total of 1,179,298 new registrations for the year, representing a 20 percent year-over-year increase.
The standout performer in this surge has been the plug-in electric car segment, which has outpaced the overall market growth, significantly improving its market share. According to the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a total of 23,844 new plug-in electric cars were registered in the UK in August, representing a staggering 72 percent increase compared to the previous year. This translates to a substantial 27.8 percent share of the total market, up from 20.2 percent in the same period last year. When combined with non-rechargeable hybrids, electrified vehicles now constitute nearly 40 percent of all new car registrations.
Of particular note is the remarkable growth in the all-electric car segment, which accounted for 20 percent of new car registrations in August, compared to less than 15 percent a year ago. The breakdown of plug-in electric car registrations for August 2023 is as follows:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): 17,243 units, up 72 percent, and a 20.1 percent market share.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): 6,601 units, up 70 percent, and a 7.7 percent market share.
- Total plug-in electric vehicles: 23,844 units, up 72 percent, and a 27.8 percent market share.
Year-to-date data for 2023 is equally impressive, with over 273,000 new passenger plug-in electric cars registered in the UK, marking a substantial 37 percent increase from the previous year and constituting more than one-fifth of the market. The breakdown for year-to-date plug-in car registrations is as follows:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs): 193,218 units, up 41 percent, and a 16.4 percent market share.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs): 80,458 units, up 30 percent, and a 6.8 percent market share.
- Total plug-in electric vehicles: 273,676 units, up 37 percent, and a 23.2 percent market share.
For context, in the entirety of 2022, the UK registered over 368,000 new passenger plug-in cars, achieving an average market share of 22.8 percent.
August’s top-performing models in the UK included the Ford Puma with 2,336 units registered and the Tesla Model Y closely following with 2,313 units. The Tesla Model 3 also secured a spot in the top 10, with 1,698 units registered, marking the sixth-highest result for the month. Notably, there were no other standalone all-electric models on the list.
As the year progresses, the Tesla Model Y continues to gain popularity, with 24,148 units sold in the first eight months, positioning it as a strong contender to become the second best-selling model in the UK.
In the realm of light commercial vehicles (LCVs), 16,303 units were registered in August, reflecting a 5 percent year-over-year increase. Among these, 1,122 were all-electric LCVs, marking a 19 percent year-over-year growth and translating to a 6.9 percent market share.
This surge in electric vehicle registrations underscores the UK’s growing commitment to sustainable mobility and the evolving landscape of the automotive industry. As the market continues to evolve, electric vehicles are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for consumers, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future for the UK’s transportation sector.
