The UK’s transition to zero-emission driving has reached a major
milestone with the total number of battery-electric vehicles
(BEVs) on the roads overtaking the number of plug-in hybrid
(PHEV) models for the first time, analysis of SMMT data conducted
by the RAC has found.*
Following the highest ever single month of new BEV registrations
in September – an extra 32,721 were sold, despite overall car
sales figures being down significantly on recent years – the RAC
estimates there are now 332,299 on the roads, compared to 327,183
plug-in hybrids. BEVs now represent 50.4% of all plug-in cars on
the UK’s roads since 2010, up from 46.3% at the same time last
year.
Although BEVs still only represent just 1% of the total car parc
in the UK, the rate of growth in the last few years is
unprecedented. From 2018 to 2019, the numbers of new BEVs more
than doubled to 37,850 and then nearly trebled to 108,205 a year
later. By the end of this year, the total number of BEVs will
likely hit a new record of at least 175,000 – a number that would
likely be significantly higher had it not been for the
international shortage of semiconductors affecting manufacturers’
ability to roll more vehicles off production lines.
In sharp contrast, average monthly sales of new diesel cars have
fallen from 48,481 in 2019 to 21,814 in 2020 and just 13,067 so
far this year. Petrol sales have also declined significantly,
from an average of 123,534 a month in 2019 to 75,265 in 2020 and
69,066 so far in 2021.
Despite the impact of the pandemic on both fleets’ and private
drivers’ plans for buying new vehicles, and on manufacturers’
production plans – thanks to a shortage of semiconductors, the
figures clearly show the strong demand there is for new BEVs in
the UK. But what perhaps is even more striking is that demand for
PHEVs – which combine an electric motor and either a petrol or
diesel tank – doesn’t appear to be quite as strong – which
suggests drivers looking to move away from petrol and diesel
models may be leapfrogging PHEVs in favour of BEVs.
New RAC research also shows the extent to which the fuel delivery
crisis has impacted on drivers’ desire to switch to go electric.
Nearly three-in-10 (28%) of 2,419 drivers surveyed** said that
their interest in getting an electric car next time they change
their vehicle had increased as a result of recent events, with
43% of this group saying they expect to make the switch within
the next three years.
RAC director of EVs Sarah Winward-Kotecha said: “Against a
backdrop of generally poor new car sales, September was a
milestone month when it came to battery-electric models. Nearly
as many were sold in one month as were sold throughout the whole
of 2019, and the figures suggest they are now a more common sight
on the UK’s roads than plug-in hybrids.
“These figures show there’s clear momentum when it comes to
electric car adoption in the UK, but had it not been for the chip
shortage which is hampering new car production, the numbers may
well have been even higher. What’s also interesting is that
demand for BEVs appears to out-stripping PHEVs, with the latter
often cited as a good ‘stepping stone’ between a petrol and
diesel model and a full zero-emission battery model. Only time
will tell whether it’s the case that drivers and fleets looking
to upgrade their cars are choosing to leapfrog PHEVs and instead
opt straight for BEVs.
“Sales of electric cars have also eclipsed diesel sales by a huge
margin with three battery-electric cars sold for every one new
diesel car that went onto the road. This now looks like the end
of the road for diesel as nearly 67,000 fewer diesel cars were
registered this September than was the case in September 2019,
representing an astonishing 86% drop in just two years.
“Fortunately, when it comes to EVs there are a variety of ways
drivers can now make the switch in a more affordable way, not
least through EV leasing schemes and
by taking advantage of smart electricity
tariffs that offer cheap overnight charging, both of
which are offered by the RAC.”
Ends
Notes to Editors
* Based on SMMT new registration statistics since 2010. 2010 new
registration figures were 167 BEVs and 21 PHEVs
** Source: RAC Driver Opinion Panel survey conducted w/c 27
September. 2,419 drivers responded
