EV demand continues surge, but supply issues undermining new car market

Demand for electric cars has continued to surge even during a quiet August ahead of the registration plate change. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures show that even as new car registrations fell by -22.0 per cent, demand for battery electric (BEV), hybrid (HEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles rose 32.2, 45.7 and 72.1 per cent respectively. Overall, the UK new car market is up 20.3 per cent versus Covid-hit 2020, though the pandemic remains a blight on the market due in part to chip shortages.

68,033 new cars were registered in August – always one of the quietest months of the year for new car registrations ahead of the plate-change in September. The monthly performance was the weakest since August 2013, and down -7.6 per cent against the average recorded over the last decade, due in part to constrained supply as the global shortage of semiconductors, an issue born of the pandemic, continues to undermine production volumes, the SMMT states.

SMMT figures show how the shape of the UK’s new car market is changing rapidly

EV demand variance

Demand for PHEVs has outpaced BEVs in five of the last six months since changes to the Plug-in Car Grant, affecting BEVs, were introduced in March. There are now some 130 plug-in models on the market, with the range ever-increasing.

Registrations by private, business and fleet buyers all fell by double digits in the month with fleet purchases down -27.5 per cent, a loss of 12,627 units. Private activity held up better, registrations dropping -15.2 per cent to 33,771 units, meaning that just shy of half (49.6 per cent) of all sales in August were driven by private consumers. The mini segment was the only car bodystyle to see growth, up 30.7 per cent, but with just 902 registrations it is a segment prone to greater fluctuations.

So far this year, UK new car registrations remain up 20.3 per cent, to 1,101,302 registrations, an increase of 185,687 units with BEVs and PHEVs at 8.4 per cent and 6.6 per cent market share respectively. However, this performance is measured against the Covid-hit 2020 market, when showrooms were closed for much of the year. Total registrations in 2021 are -25.3 per cent below the 10 year average for the period January – August, illustrating the ongoing and wide ranging impact of the pandemic on automotive retail.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “While August is normally one of the quietest months for UK new car registrations these figures are still disappointing, albeit not wholly surprising. The global shortage of semiconductors has affected UK, and indeed global, car production volumes so new car registrations will inevitably be undermined. Government can help by continuing the supportive Covid measures in place currently, especially the furlough scheme which has proven invaluable to so many businesses.

“As we enter the important September plate-change month with an ever-increasing range of electrified models and attractive deals, buyers in the market for the new 71 plate can be reassured manufacturers are doing all they can to ensure prompt deliveries.”