New SMMT figures: electric vehicles rose to 19% of the new car market in June

“EVs have now increased their share of the new car market for four consecutive months, proving that EV sales are doing anything but stalling.

"It’s been six months since targets for new EV sales came into force, and they are having the desired effect. Competing for customers to ensure they hit these targets, manufacturers are engaged in a price war, a war for motorists. Ultimately it is British drivers who benefit, and the sustained increase in sales that we are seeing is proof that, once EVs get closer in upfront price to their petrol equivalents, the demand for cheaper and cleaner electric driving is very much there.

"What these figures don’t convey is the meteoric rise of salary sacrifice schemes. It appears many private buyers are using these schemes, traditionally thought of as fleet sales, to get their hands on new EVs and make considerable tax savings.

"In three of four years’ time these new EVs will hit the second-hand market, which is already making the savings that come from owning an EV available to the 80% of us who buy our cars on the used market. This is making driving more affordable for more households during a cost of living crisis”