UK battery-electric vehicle (BEV) registrations grew by 24.5% in October, with 29,802 BEVs registered, marking a positive shift in the UK’s electric vehicle market despite a decline in other vehicle types. Plug-in hybrid registrations fell 3.2%, totaling 13,832 vehicles, while diesel and petrol registrations continued to slide amid an industry-wide shift towards cleaner options.
The BEV sector’s growth starkly contrasts with declines in combustion engine sales. Diesel registrations saw the largest decrease, falling 20.5% year-on-year to 8,961 units. Petrol registrations, though down by 14.2%, still accounted for the largest share, with 72,681 units, or 50.4% of the total market. Overall, new car registrations in October totaled 144,288 units, with BEVs securing a 20.7% share, hybrids 13.2%, and plug-in hybrids 9.6%.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) attributed BEV growth partly to an increase in available models, which rose 38% in the past 10 months, now totaling 125. Increased affordability also played a role, with one in five BEV models now cheaper than average petrol or diesel cars, aided by incentives such as salary sacrifice schemes.
“Massive manufacturer investment in model choice and market support is helping make the UK the second-largest EV market in Europe,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes. However, he cautioned that overall vehicle sales must rise to accelerate the fleet renewal needed to achieve carbon reduction targets.
