EVs take more than half of UK new car market in November

Electric cars accounted for more than 50% of new car registrations last month but the auto industry has warned new tax plans could put the brakes on progress.

Data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that in November, EVs accounted for 51.4% of new car registrations – the second successive month they have taken the majority of the market.

The latest figures mark another 3.6% increase over November 2024 and buck the overall market, which was down 1.6%. However, the SMMT said that it was the smallest increase in almost two years and warned that progress could be reversed by the proposed pay-per-mile tax.

In total, 39,965 EVs were registered in November, taking their market share to 26.4% – still short of the 28% set out under the ZEV mandate. To date this year, 426,209 new electric cars have been registered – a market share of 22.7%.

The SMMT said that the pay-per-mile plans announced in the Budget could “quash demand right when it is needed to rise steeply, leaving the market even further adrift of government goals.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented: “Even in a fragile market, zero emission vehicle uptake continues to rise, which is exactly what we need.

“But the weakest growth for almost two years – ahead of government announcing a new tax on EVs – should be seen as a wake-up call that sustained increase in demand for EVs cannot be taken for granted.

“We should be taking every opportunity to encourage drivers to make the switch, not punishing them for doing so, else the ambitions of government and industry will be thwarted.”

The SMMT said that additional support for EVs, such as the extension of the Electric Car Grant and raising of the Expensive Car Supplement threshold, were welcome but that the pay-per-mile tax plan would “endanger the UK’s net zero transition“.

Melanie Lane, CEO of charger specialist Pod, called for a rethink on the new EV tax. She said: “A growth slowdown in November proves that now is the wrong time to introduce taxes on EV drivers and that further cost pressures for manufacturers and fleet managers will keep the sector from achieving a 28% market share target set by the ZEV mandate.

“The total cost of owning an EV is lower than ICE and the intention from drivers is there – but the Government needs to give consumers and the market more confidence in order to sustain demand, yield returns on its own Electric Car Grant investment and generate growth for the UK over the long term.”