The UK new car market recorded a slight decline in November, with registrations falling -1.6% to 151,154 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
It marks the sixth monthly drop so far this year and reflects continued softness in private demand.
Private registrations fell sharply by -5.5%, while fleet activity remained broadly flat, rising just 0.2%. Business registrations, a comparatively small share of the market, increased 18.0%, but from a low base.
While total volumes dipped, electrified vehicles continued to gain ground. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) secured a 26.4% market share, marginally ahead of last November’s 25.1%.
However, BEV growth rose by only 3.6%, representing the weakest monthly increase in almost two years. In contrast, plug-in hybrids recorded the strongest uplift at 14.8%, now representing 11.9% of the market, while hybrid electric vehicles rose 1.3% to reach 13.1%.
Taken together, electrified vehicles accounted for a record 51.4% of November registrations, pushing petrol and diesel cars into the minority for the third consecutive month.
Despite this milestone, BEVs are still falling short of the government’s expectations: their 22.7% year-to-date share remains well below the 28% annual target set out by the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate.
Last week’s Budget introduced additional support intended to encourage EV uptake, including extended grant funding and a higher threshold before new EVs are subject to the VED Expensive Car Supplement.
Funding for charging infrastructure was also increased. However, industry concerns are mounting over plans to introduce a “pence-per-mile” electric Vehicle Excise Duty (eVED), a move the SMMT warns could suppress demand at a critical moment in the UK’s transition to net zero.
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes described the latest figures as a warning sign: “Even in a fragile market, zero emission vehicle uptake continues to rise, which is exactly what we need.
“But the weakest growth for almost two years, ahead of government announcing a new tax on EVs, should be seen as a wake-up call that sustained increase in demand for EVs cannot be taken for granted.
“We should be taking every opportunity to encourage drivers to make the switch, not punishing them for doing so, else the ambitions of government and industry will be thwarted.”
Why it Matters
The slowdown in BEV growth comes at a crucial time. Many workshops are weighing up investment in training, tooling and infrastructure to support an increasingly electrified vehicle parc.
The continued rise of plug-in hybrids may offer a more immediate opportunity for workshops already experienced in hybrid systems, while the broader shift towards electrified vehicles, now more than half of the new car market, reinforces the need for long-term strategic planning.
As the government’s targets tighten and consumer confidence remains uncertain, the aftermarket is likely to experience uneven patterns of demand. Workshops equipped with accurate information, clear training pathways and a realistic view of electrification trends will be best positioned to navigate the transition.
