Continuing a global dominance of the electric vehicle industry, Tesla has secured the top two spots for best-selling vehicle in the UK.
New numbers published this week by the UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that, despite a 14% decline in overall new car registrations for March, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) outshone all rivals.
Some 39,315 BEVs were delivered through the month, a stunning increase of 78.7% over the same month a year ago and taking a 16.1% market share.
This is also the highest volume of BEV registrations ever recorded in a single month in the UK and means that more BEVs were registered in March 2022 than during the entirety of 2019. On a quarterly basis, the rise was 101.9 per cent to 64,165 BEVs.
Demand for battery electric vehicles is also increasing at the same time that both ICE vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) registrations decline – though non-PHEV hybrids also saw a nearly 30% increase. This means that “electrified” vehicles accounted for 34.1% of all new British car registrations in March.
Leading the way for all models in the UK, however, were the Tesla Model Y and Model 3, which between them recorded 12,921 new registrations in March.
The Model Y barely eked out a lead over its sibling, with 6,464 models registered in March compared to 6,457.
Worth noting is the overall decline in new vehicle registrations seen in the UK during March, which plummeted 14.3% to only 243,479 units, making March 2022 the weakest since 1998.
According to SMMT, the decline in March numbers – which normally accounts for 20% of the total annual registrations – highlights both the long-term impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which is magnifying existing shortages.
“March is typically the biggest month of the year for the new car market, so this performance is deeply disappointing, and lays bare the challenges ahead,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive.
“While demand remains robust, this decline illustrates the severity of the global semiconductor shortage, as manufacturers strive to deliver the latest, lowest emission vehicles to eagerly awaiting customers.
“Placing orders now will be beneficial for those looking to take advantage of incentives and lower running costs for electric vehicles, especially as the Ukraine crisis could affect supply still further.
“With increasing household and business costs, government must do all it can to support consumers so that the growth of electric vehicles can be sustained, and the UK’s ambitious net zero timetable delivered.”
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.