Research from New AutoMotive has predicted that there will be 300,000 new battery electric vehicles (BEVs) sold in the UK this year.
This would be around double those sold last year and would be equivalent to around 15% of the market, the company said.
These figures were estimated based on market research trends, New AutoMotive’s predictions for future consumer demand, public policy changes and car manufacturers’ production plans and EV commitments.
It follows a strong year of BEV sales, with September 2021 being the best ever month for BEV sales, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Five months of the year also saw more BEVs sold than diesel cars, while November saw BEVs represent 18.8% of new car sales.
Ben Nelmes, head of policy and research at New AutoMotive, said that while the rapid growth in sales of BEVs is welcome, an additional 300,000 electric cars compared to around 32 million internal combustion vehicles on the road in 2022 falls “well short of what is possible”.
“It is crucial that the government’s plans for a zero emissions vehicle mandate sends a strong policy signal that enables manufacturers to scale up the production and sale of electric cars so that more motorists can benefits from reduce fuel costs and a better driving experience, and the rest of us can benefit from cleaner air and rapidly reduced carbon emissions,” he said.
