Although the UK experienced record electric vehicle sales in 2024, this also came at a considerable cost, in the form of steep manufacturer discounts.
ADVERTISEMENTThe UK bagged Europe’s top electric vehicle (EV) market spot for the first time. This was following soaring EV sales as net zero laws tightened in the UK.
Approximately 381,970 battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were sold in the UK in 2024, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Ltd (SMMT). This was a surge of 21.4% on an annual basis.
Hybrid electric vehicle sales also rose 9.6% to 261,398 units last year, with plug-in hybrid vehicle sales rising 18.3% to 167,178 units in 2024.
However, despite higher UK sales compared to 2023, battery electric vehicles only accounted for 19.6% of the car market last year, which still missed the 22% target set by the government.
One of the major factors driving more UK EV sales was more discounts being offered by electric vehicle makers, following the UK government implementing stricter EV sales targets and mandates. This included the zero…
