UK new car market posts best September since 2017 as BEV share still trails ZEV Mandate target
Preliminary SMMT data shows registrations up over 12% and a record monthly BEV volume, but year-to-date electric share of 26.2% remains well short of 2026's 33% ZEV Mandate target, as SMMT backs the government's mandate review.
Preliminary new car registration data published by SMMT shows the UK recorded its best 'new plate September' performance since 2017, with registrations up over 12% year-on-year.
That stronger overall market helped deliver the country's highest ever monthly battery electric vehicle volume, SMMT said. However, year-to-date BEV market share stands at 26.2%, which SMMT described as "considerably adrift" of this year's ZEV Mandate target of 33%.
SMMT said flexibilities within the mandate are helping bridge the demand gap to compliance, but argued these reduce in impact over time and, critically, do not remove the compliance cost, which it called a barrier to investment and competitiveness. With the UK's regulatory trajectory, in SMMT's view, ahead of every major world market, the organisation said government's review of the mandate is "the right thing to do", given industry needs both certainty and investment viability.
SMMT pointed to recent investment announcements by Bentley, McLaren and Nissan as a positive sign for industry confidence, while warning that competitiveness remains fragile because of high UK energy costs, additional labour costs and trading volatility.
Labour conference and EU trade concerns
SMMT hosted a reception at this week's Labour Party conference in Liverpool, attended by members and parliamentarians including Roads Minister Justin Madders MP, Reindustrialisation Minister Blair McDougall MP and Transport Select Committee Chair Ruth Cadbury MP, as part of efforts to champion UK Automotive's priorities.
SMMT also warned that the EU's current 'Made in Europe' proposals and strict EV battery rules of origin requirements pose "a clear and present danger" to manufacturers, investments, supply chains and market opportunities on both sides of the Channel. Analysis commissioned by SMMT shows UK automotive manufacturing directly supports €24bn of EU economic activity and 250,000 jobs across the bloc.
SMMT also noted that one of the headlines from the conference was the Prime Minister putting the UK's relationship with Europe, including the possibility of re-joining, back on the agenda, albeit as a long-term matter.
Sources
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