SEPTEMBER 2021 NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS FALL. New car news.

September 2021 UK new car registrations are down by -34.4% to 215,312 units but…. some encouraging news is that registrations of battery electric cars are at a record high.

A total of 32,721 battery electric vehicles were register last month.

This is a desperately disappointing September and further evidence of the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic on the sector. Despite strong demand for new vehicles over the summer, three successive months have been hit by stalled supply due to reduced semiconductor availability, especially from Asia. Nevertheless, manufacturers are taking every measure possible to maintain deliveries and customers can expect attractive offers on a range of new vehicles.
Despite these challenges, the rocketing uptake of plug-in vehicles, especially battery electric cars, demonstrates the increasing demand for these new technologies. However, to meet our collective decarbonisation ambitions, we need to ensure all drivers can make the switch – not just those with private driveways – requiring a massive investment in public recharging infrastructure. Chargepoint roll-out must keep pace with the acceleration in plug-in vehicle registrations.
Said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.

Figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).