Rise in new car sales driven by electric vehicle uptake
New car sales rose 11.4% in June to 213,166 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Sales to private buyers was up 12.5%, fleet deliveries increased by 10.5% and the smaller business segment recorded a 171% rise.
The uplift was driven entirely by rising demand for electric vehicles, with pure EVs accounting for 30% of all sales in the month, hybrids taking a 14% share and plug-in hybrids making up 12.5% of all new car sales.
Year to date, EVs account for 25% of the market, which marks a new high but still far short of the 33% ZEV Mandate target.
Market share
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “June’s performance is very strong, showing EV uptake is growing, with battery electric cars reaching their highest market share this year and more than half of buyers choosing electrified models. But even these record levels are still not enough to meet mandated targets.
“Manufacturers are investing billions developing and bringing the vehicles to market – and spending billions more to sell them, yet the market is still not moving fast enough.
“Reforming the mandate now is essential not just to keep the transition on track but to protect the UK’s competitiveness, attract investment and safeguard jobs.”
