Despite the wider car industry suffering badly from the effects
of the pandemic, 2020 was a landmark year when it came to sales
of battery electric vehicles with twice as many sold last year
compared to the year before, and a total of more than 200,000
registered since 2010, analysis of SMMT figures by the RAC
shows.*
December alone saw more zero-emissions vehicles registered than
ever in a single month – 21,914, a fraction higher than
September’s figure of 21,903. In total in 2020, 108,205
battery-electric vehicles were sold, making them more popular
than plug-in hybrid models (66,879 registered) and only a little
less popular than conventional (non-plug-in) hybrids (110,087
registered) – although all electrified types of vehicles still
saw record high sales in 2020 when compared to previous years.
Though starting from a lower base, the growth in electric car
sales is impressive, with 6.6% of all new vehicles registered in
2020 being zero-emission, up from just 1.6% in 2019 and 0.7% in
2018. This means that getting on for a fifth of all cars
registered last year (17.5%) were zero-emissions capable – up
from just 7.4% in 2019.**
RAC data insight spokesman Rod Dennis said: “The end to an
unexpected and, from the motor industry’s perspective unwanted
2020, saw record sales of battery-electric vehicles, providing
evidence that, from small beginnings, momentum is now gathering
pace. There’s a long way to go, with only a tiny fraction of the
total 31.2m cars on the UK’s roads fully zero-emission, but the
direction is becoming clear.
“The sight of more electric vehicles on our roads, many sporting
number plates with the new ‘trademark’ green flash, might begin
to make drivers who are considering changing their car look into
whether ‘going electric’ makes sense for them. Issues around
charging infrastructure aside, it’s the cold hard economics of
buying or leasing a car that might yet hold them back with pure
electric cars continuing to command a premium list price over
their petrol and diesel equivalents.
“While petrol car registrations will likely recover somewhat in
2021, the question is how many drivers are prepared to switch to
an EV at the expense of conventionally fuelled vehicles.– As the
impact of the pandemic continues to be felt the inclination of
drivers and businesses to continue acquiring new cars will be
critical, as will the effectiveness of dealers in being able to
conduct new car sales entirely online during lockdowns. But there
is surely little doubt that 2021 will shape up to be a very
exciting year for the UK’s electric car market.”
The RAC is the first UK breakdown assistance organisation to
introduce EV Boost technology into its vans, giving peace of mind
to drivers who have, or want, to go electric. The lightweight
mobile charging units, which are fitted to existing RAC vans, are
designed to be the equivalent of a fuel can for a petrol or
diesel vehicle. Find out more at rac.co.uk/innovation.
Track the UK’s progress towards zero-emissions driving in
charts using the RAC’s
‘Road to Electric’ webpage.
Ends
Notes to Editors
* SMMT new car registration statistics, released 6 January 2021:
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2021/01/uk-automotive-looks-to-green-recovery-strategy-after-29-4-fall-in-new-car-registrations-in-2020/
** Covers battery electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and
(conventional) hybrid vehicles only
