In January, the United Kingdom achieved a significant milestone, with the registration of its millionth electric car. This substantial achievement was mirrored in the commercial vehicle sector, with the registration of the 60,000th electric van in the country. Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal the magnitude of these achievements. Specifically, 20,935 electric vehicles were registered in January, accounting for 14.7 percent of the overall automotive market.
In addition to battery-powered cars and vans, other forms of electrified vehicles are also gaining traction in the UK market. For instance, registrations of plug-in hybrids saw a 31.1 percent increase, capturing 8.4 percent market share. Conversely, the market share of hybrid vehicles dipped slightly to 13.1 percent. Clearly, the trend towards electric vehicles is not restricted to cars alone. In fact, the UK has also achieved a significant milestone in the commercial vehicle sector, with 60,000 electric vans now registered. This figure was achieved following the registration of 1,186 electric vans in January.
Mike Hawes, the Managing Director of SMMT, spoke on this achievement, stating: “More than a year of growth demonstrates the importance of vans to the UK economy, and surpassing 60,000 electric vans is a crucial step on our journey to zero emissions.” He further added, “The industry is ready to provide a mass market transition, but buyer demand must increase massively, which requires everyone to do their part. In particular, the strengthening of dedicated public charging infrastructure to vans is essential so that all UK businesses can ensure they make the switch, as soon as possible.”
