In a groundbreaking turn of events, the United Kingdom witnessed an extraordinary surge in new passenger car registrations during the month of June, skyrocketing by a remarkable 26 percent year-over-year to reach an impressive total of 177,266. As the first half of 2023 drew to a close, the cumulative number of fresh registrations soared to an astounding 949,720, marking an 18 percent increase.
Notably, the plug-in segment outshone all expectations, outpacing the general market and achieving its most successful June to date. In a recent report released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), it was revealed that a staggering 44,470 new plug-in cars were registered last month alone, representing a remarkable 46 percent surge compared to the same period last year. As a result, the plug-in sector claimed an impressive 25.1 percent of the overall market volume, a notable jump from the previous year’s 21.6 percent.
Both all-electric and plug-in hybrid car sales experienced a substantial surge when compared to the figures of 2022, and industry experts predict that this trend will continue throughout the second half of the year, further bolstering the growth of the electric vehicle (EV) market.
Specifically, plug-in electric car registrations for June 2023 showcased remarkable numbers:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) reached an outstanding 31,700 registrations, marking a notable 39 percent increase and securing a substantial 17.9 percent market share.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) achieved a commendable 12,770 registrations, indicating a remarkable 66 percent surge and capturing a significant 7.2 percent market share.
- In total, the number of plug-in electric car registrations reached an impressive 44,470, highlighting a remarkable 46 percent increase and claiming an impressive 25.1 percent market share.
As the year progressed, the total number of registered passenger plug-in electric cars in the UK reached an impressive milestone of over 215,000, marking an exceptional 29 percent surge compared to the same period last year. This remarkable figure accounted for more than one-fifth of the overall market.
The year-to-date plug-in car registrations stood as follows:
- Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) achieved a remarkable 152,965 registrations, showcasing a notable 33 percent increase and claiming a significant 16.1 percent market share.
- Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) attained an impressive 62,155 registrations, marking a commendable 21 percent surge and capturing a notable 6.5 percent market share.
- Overall, the cumulative figure for plug-in electric car registrations reached an astonishing 215,120, highlighting an exceptional 29 percent increase and claiming a remarkable 22.7 percent market share.
For reference, throughout the entirety of 2022, the UK witnessed the registration of over 368,000 new passenger plug-in cars, with an average market share of 22.8 percent, showcasing the remarkable growth of the EV market in recent years.
In a major triumph for electric vehicles, the Tesla Model Y emerged as the most registered new car in June, securing an impressive 5,539 registrations. This astounding achievement propelled the Model Y from the seventh position to the fourth position year-to-date, with a total of 19,551 units registered, placing it just behind the third-ranked Nissan Qashqai, which accumulated 19,983 registrations. No other standalone all-electric model managed to break into the top 10 rankings.
In the realm of light commercial vehicles (LCVs), a total of 34,630 units were registered in the previous month, showcasing a substantial 31 percent year-over-year increase. However, the electrification of the LCV segment appeared to lag behind passenger cars, despite the availability of numerous all-electric van models. Out of the total LCV registrations, only 1,775 were all-electric, experiencing a 12 percent decline compared to the same period last year and capturing a market share of 5.1 percent.
While the electrification of the LCV segment continues to face challenges, the UK’s unprecedented surge in plug-in car registrations indicates a promising future for the country’s auto market. With the steady growth of electric vehicles and the remarkable performance of the Tesla Model Y, the stage is set for a paradigm shift towards a cleaner and more sustainable automotive landscape in the United Kingdom.
