This rapid growth is being driven by major investments from car manufacturers, with Volkswagen, Peugeot, Mini, and Renault all recording triple-digit percentage increases in EV sales compared to February 2024. The number of electric Minis registered skyrocketed from just 82 last February to over 1,300 this year, thanks to improvements in range and affordability.
At the same time, sales of petrol and diesel cars continue to decline, with petrol registrations falling by 34.5% year-on-year and diesel down 13.2%. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) are also gaining traction, now accounting for 31.38% of the market—up from 25.90% last year.
UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Policy on Track
Under the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) mandate, carmakers are required to meet a 28% BEV sales target this year. However, New AutoMotive’s analysis suggests that compliance can be achieved with closer to 23% EV sales, thanks to policy flexibilities that allow manufacturers to partially offset targets with cleaner hybrid and petrol models.
Thriving in a new electric driven world
This policy has successfully encouraged strong investment in EV technology, with manufacturers expanding their electric line-ups and making zero-emission vehicles more accessible to UK buyers. However, any sudden changes to the mandate could put this progress at risk.
Looking Ahead
With February’s record-breaking sales, the UK’s EV market is on track for another strong year, reinforcing the country’s position as a leader in the transition to cleaner transport. New AutoMotive urges policymakers to provide certainty and stability for manufacturers and consumers by maintaining the ambitious ZEV mandate targets.
New AutoMotive
Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive: “Motorists are voting with their feet, with one in four confident enough to make the switch to an electric car in February.
"The latest figures show that the UK’s policies to encourage electric vehicle adoption are working. Ministers should stay the course and give businesses and consumers the certainty they need to invest in an electric future. Carmakers have invested billions in bringing EVs to market, and the UK’s energy sector is investing billions in charge points, creating jobs in every nation and region of the UK. Now is the time to build on this momentum, not slow down.
James Court, Public Policy Director at Octopus Electric Vehicles: “It’s no surprise that we’ve seen another bumper month for EVs. The proof is in the pudding - UK drivers love the tech, the drive, the money savings from EVs. Our research showed that over 90% of drivers don’t go back once they’ve made the switch to electric. The UK must double down now and stick with coherent, consistent, policy that positions us as a world leader for cleaner, more affordable, driving.”
Save billions with bidirectional charging
Ginny Buckley, the chief executive of Electrifying, the electric car advice site: “February’s sales figures prove that an increasing number of buyers are becoming aware of the financial benefits of switching to an electric car. In today’s economy, where every pound counts, the recent EVUK Cost of Driving Electric report revealed that the savings EV drivers enjoy over their ownership mean that making the switch is not only environmentally responsible, but also financially astute.”
Quentin Willson, Founder FairCharge, EVUK advisory board member: “In February EVs continued to be the fastest growing fuel type, up 37% on last year, and now at their highest market share of 25.6%. Petrol sales are down 34% and the steep decline in diesel sales continues with a barely measurable market share. The most significant number is that combined EV and Hybrid sales were almost double those of petrol sales, showing that consumers are buying more low and zero tailpipe emission cars than ever before. This demonstrates a clear change in buying behaviours towards Hybrid and EV power trains and away from combustion.” (hcn)
