UK hits one million EV milestone

The one millionth electric vehicle (EV) made its way on to British roads in January, with continued strong demand seeing a 21% increase in battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales in the first month of the year.

New figures from the United Kingdom’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) published on Monday declared that total EV sales since records began in 2002 had finally reached the one million mark.

A total of 20,935 BEVs were registered in January, marking a 21% year-on-year increase and bringing the cumulative total to 1,001,677, “testament”, as the SMMT said, “to the commitment of manufacturers to deliver ever-increasing numbers of zero emission models.”

BEV market share also remains high at 14.7% for January, although this is slightly below the full 2023 market share of 16.5%.

The sale of plug-in hybrid EVs (PHEVs) also remained strong, with 11,944 new registrations in January, increasing by 31.1% and accounting for 8.4% of the months’ total new car registrations.

“It’s taken just over 20 years to reach our million EV milestone – but with the right policies, we can double down on that success in just another two,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO.

The United Kingdom is currently the only major market that combines a 2035 end of sale date with a mandated zero emission vehicle market share while failing to offer any significant consumer incentives.

Despite success, however, the SMMT believes that private buyers require government support to make the switch to electrified vehicles.

According to the SMMT, while fleet and business demand for BEVs has grown by 41.7% in January, BEV registrations by private buyers have fallen by 25.1% – an ongoing trend that SMMT believes will undermine the country’s ability to deliver on its net zero targets.

“Market growth is currently dependent on businesses and fleets,” explains Hawes.

“Government must therefore use the upcoming Budget to support private EV buyers, temporarily halving VAT to cut carbon, drive economic growth, and help everyone make the switch.

“Manufacturers have been asked to supply the vehicles, we now ask government to help consumers buy the vehicles on which net zero depends.”

Temporarily halving VAT on new BEV purchases would cost the British Treasury an average of only £1,125 per car – less than the cost of the previous Plug-in Car Grant. The SMMT believes this would replace a quarter of a million petrol or diesel vehicles expected to make it onto British roads by 2026 with electric vehicles instead.

Not only would this result in further CO2 reductions but would speed the next million EVs onto British roads in only two years.