Deloitte comments on SMMT new car registration figures

Jamie Hamilton, automotive director and head of electric vehicles at Deloitte, said:

71-plate a false start

“The lowest September car sales for over two decades will be seen by many in the industry as a false start.

“New plate months should traditionally boost sales, and many had put August’s already disappointing lull down to typical consumer behaviour, holding out for the new 71 plate. Whilst demand for new cars remains strong amongst consumers, today’s figures are reflective of the deepening production challenges the industry faces throughout its supply chain.

Empty pumps fuel EV interest

“Elsewhere, parallel supply chain issues in getting fuel to forecourts in the past few weeks has had the unsurprising consequence of amplifying interest in electric vehicles. EVs gained further market share this month, rising significantly to 15.2% from 10.9% in August. This compares to 2.2% in September 2019; the nearest pre-pandemic comparable.

“Whilst it’s too soon to see any immediate impact of the petrol and diesel shortage on EV sales, the inconvenience of long queues and empty pumps has jump-started many motorists to explore the switch to electric.

Equitable charging required

“With battery electric vehicles outpacing even plug-in hybrid this month, this demonstrates a level of consumer confidence that the charging infrastructure will be in place. However, gaps still remain and a more equitable rollout of public charging points would ensure EVs are also accessible to those households without off-street parking.

“Petrol and diesel shortages may have also inadvertently created some charge anxiety, so ensuring more visible charging points will only strengthen public confidence in EV feasibility.”

-Ends-

Notes to the editor

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