Battery electric cars (BEV) saw a 11% rise in registrations in August compared to same period in 2023, according to official sales figures from the SMMT. The rise came at the expense of pure petrol and pure diesel cars that saw declines of 10% and 7% respectively.  The biggest fall, however, was for plug-in hybrid cars, which saw a 12% drop in registrations. Tesla once again dominated the top positions in August with the Model 3 being the third most-popular model in the UK and the Model Y the fifth most registered. 

Fleet sales, which usually dominate the BEV segment, saw a slight dip in August, a reversal from previous months. Despite this, fleet purchases still account for the larger share of electric vehicle (EV) sales. Private buyers, on the other hand, maintained consistent demand for electric cars, indicating continued interest despite the reduction in some government subsidies and concerns over charging infrastructure. 

The affordability of EVs, particularly for private buyers, remains a key factor slowing more rapid adoption. That said, the market is bracing itself for the arrival of new, cheaper electric cars including the Dacia Spring, Citroen e-C3 and the Hyundai Inster. 

Industry analysts are pointing to September’s data as a better indicator of market health, with the introduction of the new registration plate (74 plate) expected to drive stronger results. This upcoming month is likely to see a boost, helped by attractive offers from manufacturers and an expanding range of electric models.

While August’s data confirms steady growth for electric vehicles, the market still faces challenges. The fleet market remains strong, though it’s clear that a significant shift to EVs, particularly for private buyers, will require continued support, either through incentives or improvements to charging infrastructure and vehicle affordability.

New arrivals including the new Dacia Spring are expected to boost private EV sales towards the end of the year