The UK new car market fell for the second time this year, down by -6.0% in October to 144,288 new registrations, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Declines were recorded across all buyer types, with fleets falling for the second time this year, down -1.7%, and the low-volume business market declining -12.8%. Private purchases continued their two-year long wane, down -11.8% meaning fewer than four in 10 (38.8%) of new cars registered in the first 10 months have gone directly to private buyers.
The fall was driven by double-digit drops in petrol and diesel vehicle deliveries, down -14.2% and -20.5% respectively.
However, uptake of hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles also fell, down -1.6% and -3.2%. Battery electric vehicles were the only powertrain to record growth, with a raft of new models driving the strongest growth this year, up 24.5% to reach a 20.7% share of the market.
UK new car buyers now have more than 125 different BEV models to choose from – an uplift of 38% over the last 10 months. While it remains the case that the average BEV has a higher upfront cost than an ICE equivalent, widening choice and huge manufacturer discounting mean that around one in five BEV models now has a lower purchase price than the average petrol or diesel car, especially for buyers able to take advantage of schemes such as salary sacrifice.
However, while BEV market share is increasing, October’s decline in the total market, equivalent to a £350 million loss in turnover, highlights the challenge ahead. While almost 300,000 new BEVs have reached the road in 2024, this represents 18.1% of the market – an increase on 2023, but still significantly short of the 22% target for this year and of the 28% which must be achieved in 2025 under the Vehicle Emissions Trading Scheme.
While the Budget extended existing business and fleet incentives for BEVs, the Vehicle Excise Duty and Company Car Tax changes disincentivise low carbon vehicle purchases and fleet renewal generally, risking a delay to the overall reduction in road transport emissions.
Moving the market rapidly towards these ambitious targets needs bold and compelling incentives for consumers. Manufacturers are currently shoring up demand with historic levels of support, but this is unsustainable in the long term as it threatens viability. Without the government support to match the manufacturers’ commitment, there must be an urgent review of the market’s performance and the regulatory mechanisms driving the transition.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Massive manufacturer investment in model choice and market support is helping make the UK the second largest EV market in Europe. That transition, however, must not perversely slow down the reduction of carbon emissions from road transport. Fleet renewal across the market remains the quickest way to decarbonise, so diminishing overall uptake is not good news for the economy, for investment or for the environment. EVs already work for many people and businesses, but to shift the entire market at the pace demanded requires significant intervention on incentives, infrastructure and regulation.”
