Registrations by non-public patrons in 2024 fell by -8.7% to 746,276 items. The dearth of demand within the non-public sector is mirrored in electrical automobile gross sales. The Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT), which launched the figures stated one of many main constraints to progress was the “lacklustre demand by private buyers”, with just one in 10 selecting an EV in 2024.
Total, the UK new automotive market recorded its second successive yr of progress with 1,952,778 new automobiles reaching the highway in 2024 – an increase of two.6% on the earlier yr.
Within the last month of the yr, the market remained flat at 140,786 items, a marginal -0.2% decline, in response to figures from the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT).
Over the complete yr, progress was delivered by fleets, up 11.8% to succeed in 1,163,855 items, accounting for a file six in 10 (59.6%) new automotive registrations.
BEVs made up 19.6% of the market (381,970 items) in 2024, up by greater than a fifth (67,283 items) from final yr, however wanting the 22% demanded by the mandate.
The SMMT stated the automotive trade had supplied £4.5m of reductions in 202 to shift inventory and meet the EV Mandate targets.
Throughout the full market, pure petrol and diesel automotive registrations fell by -4.4% and -13.6% respectively as extra patrons swapped both to BEVs, or to decrease emission hybrid electrical autos (up 9.6%) and plug-in hybrids (up 18.3%).
Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO, stated, “A file yr for EV registrations underscores automobile producers’ loyal dedication to a decarbonised new automotive market, with extra selection, higher vary and elevated affordability than ever earlier than.
“This has come at enormous price, nonetheless, with the billions invested in new fashions being supplemented by beneficiant incentives that are unsustainable.
“We need rapid results from the regulatory review and urgent substantive support for consumers – else automotive investments will be at risk and the jobs, economic growth and net zero ambitions we all share in jeopardy.”
