THE UK new car market grew 21.0% in September with 272,610 registrations in the month, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – the 14th consecutive month of growth and also the second busiest of the year after March, with the new number plate delivering its traditional market surge.

Growth continued to be driven by large fleets, which rose 40.8% to 143,256 units to reach a market share of 52.5%. This represents a market rebalancing after constrained supply in 2022 restricted deliveries to business and fleet customers. Private consumer demand, meanwhile, also grew, up 5.8% to 122,944 units. As a result, the industry enjoyed its best September since 2020, although registrations remain -20.6% below pre-pandemic levels.

Electrified vehicle uptake continued to grow in the month, with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) up 50.9% to take a 6.8% market share and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) up 30.7% to account for 13.9% of all registrations. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs), meanwhile, recorded their 41st consecutive month of growth – with 45,323 drivers making the switch, an 18.9% uplift. Given this growth was less than the overall recorded by the market, however, BEV market share slipped back slightly to 16.6% from 16.9% a year ago.

BEV volume increases were driven entirely by fleet purchases, which rose by 50.6% as buyers were drawn to the advanced technology, outstanding performance, reduced environmental impact and compelling tax incentives. Conversely, private BEV registrations fell 14.3% with less than one in 10 private new car buyers opting for electric during the month. Such a decline underlines the importance of providing these motorists with purchase incentives and other mechanisms to stimulate demand.

Despite an end of sale date now aligned with other major markets, the UK still has the most challenging zero emission vehicle (ZEV) transition timeline. The recently published Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate requires ZEVs to comprise half of each manufacturer’s new registrations within five years, and 80% by 2030. Achieving this will depend on private buyers making the transition, along with business and fleet customers. However, unlike in the other major markets working towards a 2035 end of sale date, UK private motorists have no purchase incentive to encourage them to invest in electric mobility.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: ” A bumper September means the new car market remains strong despite economic challenges. However, with tougher EV targets for manufacturers coming into force next year, we need to accelerate the transition, encouraging all motorists to make the switch.

“This means adding carrots to the stick – creating private purchase incentives aligned with business benefits, equalising on-street charging VAT with off-street domestic rates and mandating chargepoint rollout in line with how electric vehicle sales are now to be dictated. The forthcoming Autumn Statement is the perfect opportunity to create the conditions that will deliver the zero emission mobility essential to our shared net zero ambition.”

Nick Williams, Managing Director, Lex Autolease, part of Lloyds Banking Group said:  “Moving forward on phasing out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans between 2024 and 2030 will provide consumers and businesses with the certainty needed to switch to EVs. That confidence coupled with the new registration plate release is reflected in strong September figures from the SMMT, which saw a further 272,610 new vehicles join the UK’s roads.

“I’m hopeful that the delay on the final phase out date won’t impact these figures in the coming years, as renewed commitments from manufacturers and businesses looking to hit their own carbon targets will help to drive continued growth.

“The revised deadline and the commitment to the ZEV mandate provides both clear, long-term policy support and the appropriate sense of urgency and should ensure industry, businesses and consumers can continue to plan effectively for an electric future.”

Mark Oakley, Director of AA Cars, added: “September’s arrival of the new ‘73 registration plates helped the new car market extend its unbroken run of increasing sales to an impressive 14 straight months. Demand is holding up well despite the financial challenges households are facing, with many drivers who’d been waiting to upgrade or replace their old car choosing to do so as the new plates came in.

“The supply problems of last year are thankfully in the rear view mirror now. A host of attractive new models have come onto the market in recent months, and 12% more cars rolled off the UK’s production lines in August compared to the same month last year.

“For now it’s too early to gauge what impact, if any, the Government’s decision to push back the upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars will have on demand. Either way, greater choice and increasing competition between EV manufacturers continue to drive up sales of new electric models – which were up 18.9% year on year in September.

“This in turn is boosting supply in the used car market, as more second-hand and nearly-new EVs appear on dealers’ forecourts and provide a more affordable option for drivers who are looking to go green.”