The Renault 5 was the UK's best-selling electric car in July, with 1,805 registrations, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The Kia EV3 followed with 1,691 registrations, and the Jaecoo E5 came third with 1,291.
Record EV performance
The SMMT releases monthly figures showing the best-selling cars in the UK from the previous month. This time, they also published a list of the best-selling electric cars in July, following a surge in popularity for these vehicles.
While the figures are promising in light of the Labour government's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, more work is needed to support and encourage drivers to make the switch.
Industry concerns
Following the release of the figures, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said that while the figures were a “great achievement”, they would not be sustained if manufacturers continued to make losses through discounts.
He warned: “July’s record EV performance is a great achievement, reflecting industry’s huge investment in zero emission mobility. But that progress cannot be sustained if manufacturers continue haemorrhaging billions in EV discounts, distorting demand to avoid even steeper penalties.”
He added: “A sustainable transition will not happen merely by compelling supply when underlying demand is not keeping pace despite year-on-year growth. We need urgent reform of the regulation, else Britain risks undermining its competitiveness and the jobs and livelihoods that depend on this industry.”
Cost concerns
While their smooth, silent, and simple powertrains are appealing, electric cars, especially premium ones, are often criticised for being very expensive. The cost of charging at some motorway locations has also been criticised.
Renowned motoring journalists such as Auto Express's Mike Rutherford have highlighted cost as a factor. Rutherford said that while he was a fan, he wouldn't buy one until they became cheaper. Instead, he said he was more likely to stick with a plug-in hybrid because they were cheaper and suited his lifestyle.
Writing in Auto Express, he explained: “I love driving pure-electric cars. It’s just that I won’t be buying one until their selling prices drop further, they’re cheaper to insure and Britain’s public charging network becomes better, cleaner and more affordable. And as much as I love pure-electric vehicles, it’s state-of-the-art, non-plug-in hybrids that I prefer at this time, because they better suit my daily driving requirements, wallet and lifestyle.”
