New car sales in the UK rose again last month, new figures revealed today, marking the tenth consecutive month of sales growth.
New car sales rose 16.7 percent from the previous month, according to new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Electric cars accounted for 16.9% of new car sales for the month, up 58.7% from April sales figures.
The figures show supply chain problems were easing, the group said, but sales were still 21 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
“After the difficult and constrained supply issues due to Covid in recent years, it is good to see the new car market continuing its upward trend,” said Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT.
“The fact that growth is getting greener is very encouraging,” Hawes added.
The SMMT said high levels of investment were driving the UK’s transition to electric vehicles (EVs), but warned that the speed of change still “needs to be accelerated”.
“We need to increase demand and help any reluctant drivers overcome any concerns about electric vehicles,” Hawes said. “This will require all stakeholders – industry, government, charging point operators and energy companies – to play their part, accelerating investment to drive decarbonisation.”
The calls come after the notices from the industry that post-Brexit trade deals could lead to an exodus of electric vehicle production from the country.
The government has also faced criticism for poor provision of electric vehicle charging infrastructure, which has put some drivers off making the switch.
“Continued strength in the new car market will soon depend on substantial order growth in the electric segment,” said Ian Plummer, chief commercial officer at Auto Trader. “Electric vehicle sales are moving in the right direction, but we need to see sustained momentum: currently less than 10 percent of new car inquiries are for electric vehicles on Auto Trader.”
Lisa Watson, sales director at Close Brothers Motor Finance, said: “As manufacturers consider the government’s plans and zero ambitions for a ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, even more support is needed.”
By CityAM
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