A record number of electric vehicles (EVs) were sold in 2023, new figures from SMMT reveal.
In total, 315,000 new EVs were sold last year, some 50,000 more than in 2022.
The number of EVs sold last year is also more than the combined number of sales made in 2020 and 2021.
Despite the annual increase, growth across the wider automotive market meant EV total market share dipped slightly from 16.6% in 2022 to 16.5% in 2023.
EV sales have also dropped off in recent months. For December, the number of sales was 34% lower than the same month in 2022.
However, the SMMT said this was largely due to “an abnormal December 2022” which saw large numbers of sales.
For December 2023, 27,841 EVs were sold equating to around 20% of all new vehicle sales.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “With vehicle supply challenges fading, the new car market is building back with the best year since the pandemic.
“Energised by fleet investment, particularly in the latest EVs, the challenge for 2024 is to deliver a green recovery.
“Government has challenged the UK automotive sector with the world’s boldest transition timeline and is investing to ensure we are a major maker of electric vehicles. It must now help all drivers buy into this future, with consumer incentives that will make the UK the leading European market for ZEVs.”
Despite pushing back the ban on sales of new internal combustion engine cars and vans, the government has kept in place its zero-emission vehicle mandate.
It means for 2024, car manufacturers will be set targets for the output of EVs, with 22% of all new car sales being zero emission models this year.
The failure to increase EV’s market share last year has led to the SMMT calling for government action to ensure the 22% target can be met.
In particular, the SMMT is calling on the government to halve VAT on new EVs for three years.
Despite this, the SMMT still expects EV sales to take a 22.3% market share in 2024, with 439,000 new cars sold over the 12 months.
British Gas regional director Kim Royds welcomed the sales figures, however called for more investment in charging infrastructure.
“Another rise in EV registrations is a bright light in what was otherwise a challenging new car market in 2023,” she said.
“A record number of EVs on the road is a feather in the cap when it comes to accelerating the UK’s transition to net zero, but there is more to be done, especially in light of the delayed ICE vehicle sales ban, now pushed back to 2035.”
“To ensure the transition to EVs is as smooth as possible, it’s important we rapidly build the country’s network of charging infrastructure.
“Access to publicly available fast charging points and expanding roadside charging infrastructure will be vital to ensure no one is excluded from EV ownership. The £70 million pilot to boost charging capacity at sites across England is a welcome step, but it’s crucial we continue to make further investments to make the electric future possible.”
James Court of the Electric Vehicle Association added that “the government must play its part in ensuring EVs are made as affordable as possible for drivers of all incomes, whilst continuing to oversee that the whole EV ecosystem is ready for an electric future”.