THE new car market recorded a third month of growth in October, with registrations rising by more than a quarter (26.4%) to 134,344 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Fulfilment of strong order books helped deliver the bounce-back, although the increase follows a particularly disappointing October 2021 when deliveries fell by 24.6%. In the year to date, the market is down 5.6% on the same period in 2021, but still a third below pre-Covid levels
Zero emission capable car deliveries continued to grow in volume, with battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations increasing by 23.4% to 19,933 and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) by 6.2% to 8,899. However, BEV uptake grew by less than the overall market for the first time since the pandemic, meaning October is the first month to see BEV market share fall year on year since May 2021, primarily attributable to supply challenges.
Deliveries of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), meanwhile, rocketed 81.7% to account for more than one in 10 new cars, as supply was prioritised for a raft of popular new models. Overall, electrified vehicles accounted for one in three registrations, while more than a fifth (21.5%) came with a plug.
Ongoing supply chain shortages, surging inflation and a growing cost of living crisis have led to a 2.2% downward revision of the market outlook for the year, with 1.566 million registrations now anticipated. This puts 2022 on course to be the market’s toughest year since 1982.3 More positively, demand for electric vehicles is anticipated to result in a plug-in market share of 21.9%. Overall market recovery is anticipated to continue through 2023, with an outlook of 1.808 million units and plug-ins accounting for 26.7% of registrations next year.
Such growth underlines the importance of increasing public chargepoint provision. At the start of October 2022 the UK had 34,637 public standard, rapid and ultra-rapid electric vehicle charging devices, with 1,239 new rapid chargers and 5,023 new standard chargers installed during the first nine months of the year. With 249,575 new plug-in registrations during the same period, just one new standard public charger has been installed for every 50 new plug-in EV registrations. At this rate, it is unlikely that government’s ambition for 300,000 public chargers by 2030 will be met.4
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “A strong October is hugely welcome, albeit in comparison with a weak 2021, but it is still not enough to offset the damage done by the pandemic and subsequent supply shortages. Next year’s outlook shows recovery is possible and EV growth looks set to continue but, to achieve our shared net zero goals, that growth must accelerate and consumers given every reason to invest.
“This means giving them the economic stability and confidence to make the switch, safe in the knowledge they will be able to charge – and charge affordably – when needed. The models are there, with more still to come; so must the public chargepoints.
“With stretched infrastructure and the cost of living crisis both having the potential to undermine future uptake, government’s Autumn Statement, set for 17 November, provides an opportunity to stimulate demand and deliver both economic growth and net zero progress. Further measures to mitigate energy costs in the longer term for consumers and businesses would give greater confidence.
“Now is not the time to raise motorists’ costs, which would likely stoke inflation and damage broader government revenues from new car sales. A long-term fiscal commitment to zero emission motoring would do much to stimulate investment and demand. EV drivers’ top complaints are, invariably, cost and charging anxiety so reducing VAT on public charging to bring it into line with home charging would level the playing field for drivers unable to install a home chargepoint.”
James Fairclough, Chief Executive of AA Cars added: “The surging popularity of electric vehicles has electrified the new car market as a whole. This latest jump in new vehicle registrations marks the third month in a row of upward progress.
“The September registration plate change injected renewed dynamism into the market, and the momentum continued into October.
“But while the return to growth is very welcome, total sales so far this year are still 5.6% down on the Covid-affected figures achieved at this point in 2021. And new registrations are still falling far short of the levels typically seen before the pandemic struck.
“Carmakers are working hard to boost production to meet demand, but the number of vehicles rolling off many production lines is still a shadow of pre-pandemic levels. Last week the SMMT revealed that 47.7% fewer new cars were made in the UK in September compared to the same month in 2019.
“But while supply issues have held back new car sales for much of 2022, the greater challenge for the industry now comes from cooling demand.
“With the Bank of England again raising interest rates yesterday, the cost of car finance is increasing just as consumers see their disposable income squeezed by double-digit inflation.
“The net effect is to make many people reconsider their attitude to big ticket purchases. That’s why many drivers are opting to buy their next car second-hand rather than new.
“We’re seeing this shift play out on the AA Cars website, with many would-be buyers using our platform to shop for a good value used vehicle that’s available to drive away today.
“For drivers who want a new car on a budget, there are competitive used deals to be had, particularly for buyers who do their research and consider searching outside their local area.
“Meanwhile, leasing a new car is becoming increasingly attractive for drivers who appreciate the financial certainty that comes from making fixed monthly payments which can also include other motoring costs, such as breakdown cover and vehicle tax.”
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