Tesla is big winner as EV sales boost UK market in November

Strong demand for full-electric vehicles helped UK new-car registrations rise 24 percent in November to 142,889, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

It was the market's fourth month of continuous growth.

Sales of full-electric cars rose 35 percent to 29,372, giving the powertrain a market share of 20.6 percent, its largest monthly share this year. In comparison, demand for diesel cars fell 5.6 percent to 5,605, giving diesel a share of 3.9 percent.

The Tesla Model Y was the UK's second best-selling vehicle in November (see chart below). Tesla's registrations grew 95 percent to 6,025 for the month. The Nissan Qashqai was the UK's best-selling new car in November and through 11 months.

The SMMT said despite the increase, overall market registrations remained 8.8 percent below pre-pandemic levels from 2019 and issued a plea to the UK government to help ease the move to electrification. The government has said it will ban the sale of combustion-engine vehicles after 2030.

“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 recognizes these vehicles remain more expensive, and measures to compel investment in a charging network that is built ahead of need,” SMMT CEO Mike Hawes said in the statement.

The increase comes as the UK market has been hit hard by a global shortage of semiconductors, the effects of the Ukraine conflict and a wider cost-of-living crisis.

The SMMT forecasts that a rebounding UK market will rise 15 percent next year.

Through November, overall UK registrations fell 3.4 percent to 1.5 million.