The dips in registrations for traditional ICE cars in favour of electrified alternatives can be partly explained by the fact that fleet sales underpinned the majority of new-car registrations in September. Hybrid and plug-in hybrids, which both benefit from greatly reduced company car tax rates (albeit nowhere near as much as EVs do), witnessed a year-on-year jump in registrations last month, by 2.6 per cent and 32.1 per cent respectively.
The SMMT’s Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, described the figures as “good news”, however he went on to say that “under the bonnet there are serious concerns as the market is not growing quickly enough to meet mandated targets”.
Hawes highlighted that one of the main reasons for the widespread adoption of EVs in September was down to “manufacturers spending billions on both product and market support” – or, in layman’s terms, huge manufacturer discounts – something he admitted cannot be sustained indefinitely.
“While we appreciate the pressures on the public purse,” Hawes continued, “the Chancellor must use the forthcoming Budget to introduce bold measures on consumer support and infrastructure to get the transition back on track, and with it the economic growth and environmental benefits we all crave”.
The top-selling models in September were the usual contenders, with the hybrid and plug-in hybrid-powered Kia Sportage taking the first-place spot, followed by the Ford Puma (the UK’s best-selling model year-to-date) and the Nissan Juke. The Tesla Model Y, which finished fourth, was the only EV to make it onto the top 10 list, despite the rush in electric car sales.
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