A record 26% of all cars made in the UK in July were some sort of electric vehicle, the highest electrified share for the local vehicle manufacturing industry ever.
Figures published towards the end of August by the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) painted a dim picture for the British vehicle manufacturing industry, with the number of cars produced falling by 37.6% in July.
July was the worst month of 2021 with only 53,438 units made, down 3% from the 54,962 that rolled out of factories in May. Britain’s record-keeping, however, focuses more on year-over-year comparisons, as there is significant seasonal variance over a whole year.
For example, 115,598 cars were manufactured in March, but the first quarter of the year traditionally sees higher production numbers than the second quarter. Similarly, historic trends see a normal decline in production in both August and December.
To complicate matters even further, 2020 was completely shaken by the global COVID-19 pandemic. All UK automotive plants were shuttered in the middle of March 2020, resulting in only 78,767 units rolling off assembly lines – down 37% from the 126,195 from the same month a year earlier.
The UK vehicle manufacturing industry wasn’t able to begin restarting until June, which meant that only 197 units were manufactured in April, and only 5,314 vehicles rolled off manufacturing lines in May.
That the UK automotive sector was able to then 2021 with three months of growth – with 86,052 units in January, 105,008 units in February, and 115,498 in March – was testament to the industry’s resilience. However, this has been followed by four months of relatively flat production levels.
This led to July’s production numbers recording their worst figure since July of 1956 – due to a combination of staff absences and a global shortage of semiconductors.
However, while UK car manufacturing was suffering as a single entity, the electrified vehicle industry has been seeing continued stability and growth through 2021, resulting in its best ever month in July, with 26% of all cars made in July either battery electric (BEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), or hybrid electric (HEV).
The strong July also pushes the rolling total for 2021 to 126,757 electrified vehicles over the first seven months of the year.
In fact, electrified vehicles have accounted for at least a steady 20% share throughout 2021 monthly totals, highlighting the growing importance of electrified vehicles to the future of the vehicle manufacturing industry.
“While the UK automotive industry continues to suffer the effects of the global pandemic, with first half year production down significantly and a tough few months looming, the sector has the capability to recover,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
“The latest investments into new models and battery production show a bright future is within reach, yet the industry still faces headwinds most notably from global semiconductor shortages and staff absenteeism as a result of staff being ‘pinged’.”
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.