New data has found that over one in five new cars are electric, with a further 29 per cent being hybrid vehicles.
The number of electric cars registered last month was a 77 per cent increase compared to August 2022, with electric vans also seeing a sales boost of 13 per cent.
At the same time, registrations of both petrol and diesel cars fell to a historic low, accounting for the smallest share of new cars in any twelve-month period for the last 20 years.
Registrations of diesel vehicles have slumped further to just 6.3 per cent, with the number of diesel cars on the road now “falling rapidly”.
Tesla saw the highest number of EV sales last month
REUTERS
In the last 12 months, 47 per cent of new cars were petrol after a brief resurgence thanks to emissions scandals impacting diesel models.
In total, hybrid and battery electric vehicles now make up 49.6 per cent of UK car registrations, according to New AutoMotive’s Electric Car Count.
Tesla continues to dominate EV sales, with the Elon Musk-led brand securing 17 per cent of the market, dominating sales for most of the year.
This was followed by MG in second and BMW in third, with four in 10 BMWs sold in August being fully electric.
Ben Nelmes, Chief Executive at New AutoMotive, said on the Electric Car Count: “It is great to see British motorists embracing clean cars in their thousands.
“Despite an unprecedented cost of living crisis and rising interest rates, demand for electric cars has remained resilient.
"Motorists who go electric don't look back: they tell us they love the cheaper running costs, smoother driving experience and guilt-free travel.”
While Chinese brands have been rolling out to Europe and the UK, there have been struggles with major manufacturers BYD and Ora registering less than 100 EVs each last month.
Ben Nelmes also called on the Government to build on the progress being made by introducing a ZEV mandate, similar to the one seen in California.
This Zero Emission Vehicle mandate would give car companies and installers of electric chargers certainty.
The policy was first announced almost two years ago, with a consultation launched earlier this year. It is expected to launch in 2024.
He continued, saying: “Ministers should stop dragging their feet and put it in law.”
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The ZEV mandate is set to be introduced next year
PA
By 2024, car manufacturers will need to ensure that 22 per cent of their car sales and 10 per cent of their van sales are electric or they could face penalties.
