Setting out the Department of Transport's position on the new
statistics from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders
(SMMT) on car and electric vehicle sales, for December and for
2024 overall, a Department for Transport spokesperson said:
“December has yet been another record month for new electric
cars, with nearly one in three of all vehicles sold being battery
electric and 382k EVs sold across 2024”.
“Thanks to the flexibilities in the ZEV Mandate, we're confident
the whole market has complied with the 22% target and that no car
manufacturer will need to pay fines.
“We've invested over £2.3 billion to support industry and
consumers make the switch, rolled out more than 72,000 public
chargers, and launched a consultation to invite the sector to
shape how we achieve the transition to ZEVs.
“Getting this transition right as more people make a switch to
electric vehicles will support the growth of the UK market and
will provide an opportunity to tap into a multibillion-pound
industry that will create high paid jobs for decades to come.”
Background:
- As part of the flexibilities in the ZEV mandate,
manufacturers also have a CO2 target as well as a target on the
number of vehicles sold. The CO2 target is based on their
emissions in 2021. If a manufacturer beats their CO2 target (i.e.
has lower emissions than in 2021) they can convert the amount
they beat it the CO2 target by towards ZEV compliance.
Preliminary DfT/DVLA Data suggests that when this is taken into
account, the car market as a whole will have achieved the 22% ZEV
Mandate target.
- Some EVs sold through private leasing, including leases that
benefit from salary sacrifice that the Government supports, are
being recorded as fleet vehicle sales when they are often being
used as private cars.
- We're restoring the 2030 phase-out date to stop the sale of
new purely petrol and diesel cars - giving industry the clarity
and confidence to invest in Britain.
- We are also consulting with industry on which cars, including
which types of hybrid cars, can be sold alongside fully
zero-emission vehicles from 2030.
- We're making good progress in rolling out chargepoints across
the country, with more than 72,000 public chargers across
the UK. The rollout of chargepoints is supported by £6
billion of private investment by 2030 and £200m government
investment in 2025/26.
- With 56 public chargers added on average to the network every
day in 2024, 24/7 helplines, and up-to-date chargepoint
locations, it's never been easier for drivers to charge
their EVs.
- Charging infrastructure will continue to match the rising
sales of EVs, with another 100,000 chargers planned by local
authorities all across England under the government's
Local EV Infrastructure Fund
