The UK's electric vehicle market has recorded its slowest pace of growth in almost two years, according to new industry data released today. The figures come just days after the Chancellor announced a new tax for electric car drivers, prompting warnings from industry leaders.
Slowing Growth for Electric Vehicles
Official statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that 39,965 new pure battery electric cars were registered in November 2025. This represents a modest year-on-year increase of just 3.6% compared to November 2024.
This meagre rise marks the smallest growth for the sector since December 2023, when registrations actually fell by a sharp 34.2%. That previous decline was largely blamed on supply chain disruptions and an unusually strong December in 2022.
Overall Market Decline and Private Buyer Retreat
The broader new car market also contracted last month. Overall, 151,154 new cars were registered in November, a fall of 1.6%. This is the sixth monthly drop in registrations seen this year.
The SMMT pinpointed the main cause of this slump: a significant 5.5% decline in demand from private buyers. In contrast, purchases made by businesses and organisations for their fleets saw a marginal increase of 0.2%.
Industry Warns Against "Punishing" EV Drivers
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes issued a stark warning alongside the data. He stated that while zero-emission vehicle uptake is still rising in a fragile market, the current slowdown should serve as a major alert.
"The weakest growth for almost two years – ahead of Government announcing a new tax on EVs – should be seen as a wake-up call," Hawes said. He emphasised that a sustained increase in demand for electric vehicles cannot be assumed and argued that every opportunity should be taken to encourage the switch, not punish drivers for making it.
This comment directly references last week's Budget, where Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that drivers of battery electric cars will be charged 3p per mile for Vehicle Excise Duty from April 2028. The new tax is a response to the government's falling revenue from fuel duty as more motorists abandon petrol and diesel cars.
The industry now watches closely to see if this new fiscal policy, combined with broader economic pressures, will further dampen the UK's transition to electric mobility.
