New car registrations continues to fall but demand for electric vehicles surges

UK new car market dips in January as 161,013 models leave forecourts

New car registrations continues to fall but demand for electric vehicles surges

The UK’s new car market dipped -1.6 per cent in January, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Appetite for alternatively fuelled vehicles grew 26.3 per cent, resulting in a total 6.8 per cent market share.

The performance supports the latest forecast for this sector, currently expected to rise more than a quarter by the end of 2019 to around 177,000 units.

Some 86,000 of these cars are set to be ultra low emission plug-in hybrids and battery electrics – taking plug-in market share to around 3.7 per cent as an ever-increasing number of models come on sale.

Petrol demand also grew in January, up 7.3 per cent, but this was not enough to offset another month of decline for diesel, as registrations fell -20.3 per cent.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “It’s encouraging to see car registrations in January broadly on par with a year ago as the latest high tech models and deals attracted buyers into showrooms.

“This, however, is still the fifth consecutive month of overall decline in the market.

“To restore momentum, we need supportive policies, not least on vehicle taxation, to encourage buyers to invest in new, cleaner vehicles that best suit their driving needs – from the latest petrols and diesels to an ever growing range of exciting electrified vehicles.

“This would be good for the environment and good for the industry and those who depend on it.”

Have your say!

0 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.