The UK's electric vehicle market experienced its slowest pace of growth in almost two years during November, new industry figures reveal, casting a shadow over the nation's green transport ambitions.
A Slowing Surge for Electric Cars
According to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 39,965 new pure battery electric cars were registered last month. This represents a modest increase of just 3.6% compared to November 2024, marking the smallest year-on-year growth since December 2023, when registrations actually plummeted by 34.2%.
That previous sharp decline was largely blamed on supply chain disruptions and an unusually strong December the year before. The latest slowdown comes amid a broader contraction in the new car market, which saw 151,154 new cars registered overall in November, a fall of 1.6%.
Private Buyer Demand Dries Up
The SMMT attributed this sixth monthly drop in registrations this year primarily to weakening consumer confidence. Demand from private buyers fell significantly by 5.5%, while purchases by business and organisational fleets saw a marginal increase of just 0.2%.
Despite the fragile market, battery electric vehicles have captured a 22.7% market share over the first eleven months of the year. However, this progress is now under scrutiny.
Budget Announcement Sparks Industry Warning
The subdued figures emerged just days after Chancellor Rachel Reeves used the Budget to announce a new tax for electric vehicle drivers. From April 2028, drivers of battery electric cars will be charged 3p per mile under a new electric Vehicle Excise Duty, a move designed to address falling fuel duty revenues as drivers switch from petrol and diesel.
While the Budget also extended grants for new EV purchases until 2030, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes issued a stark warning. He stated that the weak growth should serve as "a wake-up call" ahead of the new tax announcement, arguing that "sustained increase in demand for EVs cannot be taken for granted."
"We should be taking every opportunity to encourage drivers to make the switch, not punishing them for doing so," Hawes urged, cautioning that the ambitions of both government and industry risk being "thwarted."
Mandate Targets and Government Support
The government's zero-emission vehicle mandate requires that at least 28.0% of new cars sold by each manufacturer in the UK in 2025 must be zero emission, which typically means pure electric. However, analysis from green consultancy New Automotive suggests the effective sales target for this year, after accounting for flexibilities, is closer to 21.7%.
A Department for Transport spokesperson defended the government's commitment, highlighting £7.5 billion of investment to support the transition. This includes the £1.3 billion announced in the Budget to extend the new EV purchase grant and a further £200 million for chargepoint rollout.
The coming months will prove critical in determining whether the UK's electric revolution can regain its momentum or if rising costs and policy shifts will apply the brakes.
