EV registrations boomed in September with 100,172 sales, the largest number in a single month. EVs accounted for 28.2 per cent of all new cars, with registrations up 38 per cent on last year.

Electric vans also grew with 4,844 registrations, although the figures indicate that reaching the 24 per cent target set by the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate will be difficult. EV vans grew 13.4 per cent and reached a market share of 9.6 per cent in September.

EV cars now account for 26.1 per cent of sales year to date, compared with an estimated effective target of 24.6 per cent. That means the market has built a growing surplus of ZEV credits, with three of the traditionally strongest months for electric car sales still to come.

Tesla registered around 16,000 EVs, its second-best month ever, taking 16 per cent of the electric market. BYD had its best UK month to date, with around 9,000 registrations, as did Kia who continued its strong run with 7.7 per cent of EV registrations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive commented: “September’s record EV performance is a major achievement. Drivers are increasingly embracing the growing choice of models made available and high fuel prices are also undoubtedly giving more consumers reason to consider going electric. The industry’s commitment is clear with billions of pounds of investment in new models, new technology and incentives.”

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