UK electric car sales saw the biggest increase since records began in 2021, sprinkling glitter on what was a terrible year for car sales overall.
2021 new car registrations grew by a marginal 1.0% on a pandemic-hit 2020, which was the worst year for UK car sales in a decade. But from the raging fire rose electric cars, whose sales grew by 76.3% compared to 2020.
To put that number into context, it means electric cars commanded a 25.5% market share at the end of 2021, over a quarter or registrations!
In the whole of 2021,190,727, fully electric vehicles were sold compared to 108,205 in 2020, representing a staggering 82,522 unit increase.
The 10 most popular BEVs sold in the year were:
- Tesla Model 3 (34,783 sold)
- Kia e-Niro (12,271 sold)
- Volkswagen ID.3 (11,032 sold)
- Nissan Leaf (9,052 sold)
- Audi e-tron (7,396 sold)
- Hyundai Kona (7,199 sold)
- MINI (6,615 sold)
- Renault Zoe (5,778 sold)
- Vauxhall Corsa-e (5,605 sold)
- MG ZS (5,380 sold)
This is a staggering number of fully electric vehicles, showing just how much the market is shifting towards electrification.
Smart home chargers are also seeing record installations, with 2022 set to be a big year for the smart charger market.
“It’s been another desperately disappointing year for the car industry as Covid continues to cast a pall over any recovery. Manufacturers continue to battle myriad challenges, with tougher trading arrangements, accelerating technology shifts and, above all, the global semiconductor shortage which is decimating supply.
Despite the challenges, the undeniable bright spot is the growth in electric car uptake. A record-breaking year for the cleanest, greenest vehicles is testament to the investment made by the industry over the past decade and the inherent attractiveness of the technology. The models are there, with two of every five new car models now able to be plugged in, drivers have the widest choice ever and industry is working hard to overcome Covid-related supply constraints.”
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
Source: SMMT
