Britain's September car registrations rise on EV demand and subsidies

Britain’s new car market recorded its strongest September since 2020 as registrations rose 13.7 percent year on year to 312,887, industry figures show, driven largely by a sharp rise in electric vehicle sales and the introduction of government purchase incentives. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said September, a key month for sales because of new registration plates, produced record uptake of battery electric vehicles and an overall boost for the industry.

The SMMT reported 72,779 pure battery electric vehicles were registered in September, up 29.1 percent from the same month last year, giving BEVs a 23.3 percent share of the market in September. The industry body said electrified vehicles, including plug‑in hybrids and conventional hybrids, accounted for more than half of registrations for the first time in preliminary figures. The Department for Transport’s electric car grant, discounts by manufacturers and a wider range of models on offer were cited as factors supporting demand.

September was the first full month in which buyers could receive electric vehicle grants worth either 1,500 or 3,750, depending on sustainability criteria, under a scheme funded with...