Automotive
Battery-electric share of UK new car market nears petrol in October
Electrek reports that SMMT figures show battery-electric cars took 32% of October UK new car sales, against 37.2% for petrol.
The short version
- Electrek reports SMMT data showing battery-electric cars took 32% of UK new car sales in October, versus 37.2% for petrol.[Electrek]
- Battery-electric registrations rose 32.7% to 48,858 in October, while petrol fell 11.6% to 56,876.[Electrek]
- SMMT forecasts a 27.2% battery-electric share for the full year and expects 32% next year against a 38% target.[Electrek]
- SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said higher targets may force supply but do not create demand.[Electrek]
Key facts
- Battery-electric cars took 32% of the UK new car market in October, while petrol cars fell to 37.2%.[Electrek]
- Battery-electric registrations rose 32.7% to 48,858 units in October, and plug-in hybrid registrations rose 30.1% to 22,898.[Electrek]
- Petrol registrations fell 11.6% to 56,876 units in October, diesel fell 15.9%, and conventional hybrids fell 5%.[Electrek]
- SMMT forecasts a 27.2% battery-electric share for the full year and expects 32% next year against a 38% target.[Electrek]
- SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said higher targets may force supply but do not create demand.[Electrek]
What remains uncertain
- Whether battery-electric cars will overtake petrol, and when, is not established; the cited SMMT full-year forecast of 27.2% sits well below petrol's October share.[Electrek]
- The headline's imminent-overtake framing is not attributed to an SMMT forecast in the available reporting, so it should be treated as a single-outlet interpretation.[Electrek]
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.