November has been a great month for greener options as the market share for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) continued to grow significantly.
BEVs have gone up by 122.4% and PHEVs have seen a 76.9% increase. Also, BEVs recorded their third highest ever monthly share of registrations at 9.1%, while PHEV share increased to 6.8%. A combined total of more than 18,000 new zero-emission capable cars joined Britain’s roads.
Although electric options have become increasingly popular, November has been tough on internal combustion engines. In fact, diesel and petrol registrations have respectively declined 56.2% and 41.9%.
Overall, the UK new car market again saw a decline last month as registrations in November fell 27.4% year-on-year, or 42,840 units, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
BEVs have also seen an increase in year-to-date registration as there has been a 162% rise from last year giving battery electric cars a 5.8% market share compared to a mere 1.5% in 2019. Lastly, PHEV market share has increased from 1.4% to 3.9% with an 89% increase in year-to-date registrations.
The November car sales figures were clearly hit by the UK’s second pandemic lockdown. However, the situation of the car market, although not great, was not nearly as severe as this spring, according to Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
“Compared with the spring lockdown, manufacturers, dealers and consumers were all better prepared to adjust to constrained trading conditions,” he said. “But with £1.3 billion worth of new car revenue lost in November alone, the importance of showroom trading to the UK economy is evident and we must ensure they remain open in any future Covid restrictions.”