UK new car sales were up 23.5% in November, with 142,889 sold in what was the fourth month of consecutive growth, the figures from the SMMT have shown. While still 8.8% below pre-pandemic 2019, it s the best November since then.

Fleet sales pushed growth, up 45.4% on November 2021, while private buyer demand was up by 2.7%, Business registrations were up 112.2%, but this is a small segment of the market.
Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales increased by 35.2and made up 20.6% of the total, the largest monthly share of BEVs this year. Meanwhile, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) sales were down 5.7%, constituting 7.1% of overall sales. With a total of 39,558 plug-ins sold, they made up 27.7% of new cars hitting roads in the month. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), sales were up by 66.9% to 11.2% of the total.

Commenting on the figures, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said that with sales on the rise, now is the time for government to double down in EV infrastructure investment: “Recovery for Britain’s new car market is back within our grasp, energised by electrified vehicles and the sector’s resilience in the face of supply and economic challenges. As the sector looks to ensure that growth is sustainable for the long term, urgent measures are required – not least a fair approach to driving EV adoption that recognises these vehicles remain more expensive, and measures to compel investment in a charging network that is built ahead of need. By doing so we can encourage consumer appetite across the country and accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero.”