EV sales increase as competition between manufacturers heats up

EVs have increase their share of new car sales in April to 17%.

Profile picture of George Smeeton

By George Smeeton

info@eciu.net

Last updated:

Responding to today’s figures from the SMMT, showing that EVs have increase their share of new car sales in April to 17% [1], Colin Walker, Head of Transport at the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said:

“This is the Government’s ‘ZEV Mandate’ policy in action – to hit their EV sales targets, manufacturers are discounting their vehicles to attract customers, enabling more people to make the switch to cheaper, cleaner driving.

"With the likes of BMW and Mercedes meeting these targets, its clear that the laggards are suffering from their failure to embrace the global drive to electrification sooner. But this healthy competition is what free market economics is all about, improving choice and bringing down costs for British drivers. Rather than a war on motorists, this is a war for motorists.

"And these figures are good news for the 80% of us who get their vehicles on the second hand market. The more new EVs that are sold, the faster the used market will grow – enabling more and more households to escape paying the ‘petrol premium’ that comes from filling a car at the pump, and enjoy the hundreds of pounds of savings that come from charging an EV.”


Notes to editors:

1. SMMT: New car market growth continues despite declining private demand: https://www.smmt.co.uk/2024/05/new-car-market-growth-continues-despite-declining-private-demand/

For more information or for interview requests:

George Smeeton, Head of Communications, ECIU, Tel: +44 (0)7894 571 153, email: george.smeeton@eciu.net

Colin Walker, Head of Transport, ECIU, Tel: 07779 284912, email: colin.walker@eiu.net