Plug-in EVs account for nearly one in five cars registered in August

Plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) accounted for nearly one in five cars registered in August, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Registrations of battery electric vehicles increased by almost a third to nearly 7,400 when compared to the same month last year, giving them a market share of 10.4 per cent.

The figure for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles was up nearly three quarters, at slightly more than 5,000, meaning they accounted for 7.4 per cent of total registrations during the month.

Their combined market share of 18.3 per cent is the highest recorded since a peak of 23.4 per cent in December last year.

However, registrations of plug-in electric vehicles were down by around two-fifths when compared to July, reflecting the lower overall car registrations seen during August, which is typically one of the quietest months of the year ahead of the introduction of new license plates in September.

When adding in registrations of all non-plug-in hybrids, electric vehicles accounted for nearly half (49.3 per cent) of all registrations in August.

Ofgem recently set outs it priorities for the rollout of EVs, including reducing the cost of connecting EV charging stations to the power grid.

Responding to the figures, Lucy Simpson, head of EV enablement at Centrica Business Solutions, said: “With the 2030 phase-out date for the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles now firmly set in stone, encouraging EV uptake needs to remain our top priority. The government’s recent Transport Decarbonisation Plan and other commitments have put down a strong marker for the UK’s electrification journey, however we must ensure that EVs remain accessible for all. This includes speeding up the roll-out of on-street charging to avoid large swathes of the population being left behind on the road towards an electric future.”