A bumper month for plug-in registrations saw the UK’s millionth plug-in electric car registered last month.

Britain’s millionth plug-in electric car was registered in September

Newly published September data from the SMMT reveals the second highest monthly volume of battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations in history, up 16.5% to 38,116 units. The strong growth helped counter a 11.5% YoY drop-off in plug-in hybrid registrations and means that overall plug-in vehicles accounted for more than one in five new cars (22.4%) joining UK roads in the month.

Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) registrations grew by 16.5% to 29,088 units in the month, while petrol-powered cars were up 4.3% to 126,873 units and diesels declined by 14.5% to 18,911.

Bolstered by strong EV demand, overall registrations in the key ‘new plate’ month hit a total of 225,269 cars – up by 4.6%. The new SMMT data also shows registrations by large fleets bucked recent trends and grew by 12.5% to 101,760 units, while demand from private buyers fell by 3.6%. ‘Business’ registrations to companies with fewer than 25 vehicles were particularly buoyant – they soared by 70.5% to 7,344 units.

Despite the growth, the SMMT noted that supply chain issues continue to constrain model availability and called for action to shore up consumer confidence as the market enters the final quarter. This includes continued action on EV incentives.

Mike Hawes, chief executive, said: “Battery electric vehicles make up but a small fraction of cars on the road, so we need to ensure every lever is pulled to encourage motorists to make the shift if our green goals are to be met.”

Meryem Brassington, electrification propositions lead at Lex Autolease, said the continued growth of battery electric vehicle remains impressive, with the market well on track to surpass last year’s overall registrations. She added: “Businesses and private drivers are embracing the transition to electric and reaping the many environmental and cost-saving benefits it offers.

“Yet, significant challenges lie ahead. EV drivers face a hike in charging costs and further clarity is needed on company car tax tables beyond 2025 to give fleet managers the confidence they need to make long-term purchasing decisions. All eyes will be on the Government in the months ahead to ensure that the goodwill and progress made along the road to zero already this year doesn’t start to stall.”

And British Gas – which is looking to electrify its entire commercial fleet by 2025 – called for concerted action on the charging infrastructure.

Kim Royds, EV director, said: “As the rate of EV adoption climbs, so does the pressure on the UK’s network of charging points, particularly the demand for super-fast charging which offers more convenience for drivers.

“The continued uptake of EVs is dependent on government and policy makers ensuring the rollout of the charging network is done properly. This means focusing on accessibility, convenience for users, and ensuring the latest technology – including super-fast chargers – is put in place to build a network fit for future purpose.”

Novuna Vehicle Solutions also that the much-welcome BEV boom raises big questions about the UK’s charging infrastructure.

Jon Lawes, managing director, commented: “The ratio of electric cars to public charge points has risen from 5:1 in 2019, to 15:1 today, and unless we see some meaningful progress on the Government’s EV infrastructure strategy, and soon, we could be facing a ratio closer to 54:1 by the end of this decade. If queues for cars become queues for chargers, it could throw a stick into the spokes of the growth plan we have been hearing so much about this week.”

The ratio of electric cars to public charge points has risen from 5:1 in 2019, to 15:1 today, and unless we see some meaningful progress on the Government’s EV infrastructure strategy, and soon, we could be facing a ratio closer to 54:1 by the end of this decade. If queues for cars become queues for chargers, it could throw a stick into the spokes of the growth plan we have been hearing so much about this week.”