Electric vehicle sales reach 17.9% of new vehicle market share in May

Sales of electric vehicles (EV) reached 17.9% of the new vehicle market share in May - according to the latest Electric Car Count from New AutoMotive. 

The figure means that the EV market is continuing its best ever start to the year, with sales in the first five months of 2024 10% higher than the same period last year. 

As a result of the growth, collectively the industry only needs to sell an additional 1,800 EVs a month between June and December in order to meet their Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate targets for the year. 

This growth comes despite a continued fall in sales by market leader Tesla, with BMW on course to overtake the American manufacturer as the UK’s EV market leader. 

Those manufacturers promoting EVs are also bearing fruit, with Nissan, Vauxhall and Peugeot all hitting EV market share highs, reaching 18%, 20% and 21% respectively. 

Meanwhile, sales of new petrol and diesel vehicles have plummeted from 55% to 45% over the past 12 months. If this trend continues, the UK will no longer have new ICE vehicles on the road by 2029.

Ben Nelmes, CEO of New AutoMotive, said: “It is great to see tens of thousands more drivers discovering the benefits of going electric. EVs are not only good for the planet, they're good for your wallet, and they contribute to improving the nation's energy security. 

“A key message from May's data is that you only find growing car sales where there is a battery. Having abandoned diesel, consumers are now shunning petrol cars too. 

“This month’s data tells a story not only o f a growing market, but a maturing market with growing consumer choice as brands respond to the UK’s world-leading ZEV mandate. 

“With a general election campaign underway, these results show a strong swing towards EVs. Whoever forms the next government should commit to maintain the UK's leadership on cleaner, cheaper transport.”