UK ev growth steps as TESLA STALES CLENGE and new buyers of Pay-per-Mile Spooks
The UK electric car market hit the brakes in November, delivering its weakest growth in almost two years as the Chancellor’s Pay-Mile Tax Candled Uncertainty Among Consumers, and left Tesla nursing a heavy enrollment.
New figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that less than 40,000 battery vehicles (BEVS) were registered last month – a dramatic increase in November 2024, and a significant reduction in the sector expected to accelerate the government’s zero-emissions targets.
It marks the extension of a soft year from the end of 2023, when the global chains were not animated, and left the BEV in the market share of 26,4%, which is short of the Government’s target of 28% for this phase in Transition.
The scobledown comes after weeks of pre-budget speculation in which Treasury sources have moved, and confirmed, plans for a new EV project in Excess (revealed). From April 2028, BEV drivers will pay 3p per mile and plug-in hybrid drivers 1.5p per mile, replacing the Fuel Duty revenue lost as diesel.
For the average driver of a BEV covering 8,500 kilometers per year, the charge is equivalent to £255 in road tax, a big change from the near royalty of close to zero costs.
The SMMT warned of the risk of moving to “endanger the transition to Net-Zero-zero”, adding that the need could collapse at the time we need surgery. The Office of Budget Responsibility estimates the change could mean 440,000 fewer sales over the next five years.
Mike Hawes, Smmt’s chief executive, said the warning lights were on: “This should be a wake-up call. We have to encourage regenerative growth.”
New data from new cars suggest that Tesla was the biggest damage to the sector, with UK registrations down almost 20% in the month of 3.8%, they are planning to participate in the market.
The Chinese rovat, which relies heavily on interest and interest and interest plug-ins, has more than doubled its UK registration over the same period.
Divergence reflects a broader shift in consumer sentiment: Plug-in interest in powertrains grew the fastest in November, up 14.8%, while Dotroli and Diesel continued their systematic decline.
In addition to the new EV mileage tax, Rachel is taking subsidies for new EV purchases until 2030, with some new and smaller models now eligible for a $3,750 rebate.
But with cost considerations still the biggest obstacle to takeover, analysts warn the government has work to do.
Jamie Hamilton, automotive partner at Deloitte, said: “The new mileage charge will increase the cost of EVs and may now reduce efforts to communicate long-term value and investment after the transition.”
With the global carmaker betting billions on electrification and the UK’s own WEV mandate to rally, ministers will be hoping that Soleven’s slowdown is a blip – and not the start of a deeper slowdown.
