SMMT data sees record 56,387 BEV registrations in September: comment

“Never before have so many EVs been sold in a single month, demonstrating that the demand is there, and efforts to translate that demand into sales are having an effect. In particular, the previous Government’s ZEV Mandate policy continues to drive down prices and drive up sales as manufacturers compete for customers to hit their targets by cutting prices.

“With record numbers of EVs being sold, it’s evident that many manufacturers - BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai and Toyota in particular– are quietly going about their business and meeting, and even exceeding, their EV sales targets. In fact, the car industry looks to be on course to meet its obligations under the ZEV mandate. Many quote the headline 22% target but the policy also incentivises sales of other lower emissions vehicles, meaning the figure they’ll need to hit to be compliant is little more than 18%. [2] With sales so far this year at 17.8%, the industry is within a whisker of hitting than figure – a commendable success. Government bringing in new incentives to further boost sales would open up cleaner, cheaper driving for more families, but there's no case for weakening or pausing given the targets are clearly working and driving down costs for consumers.”