Data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders Limited (SMMT) showed that at the end of last year, new car registrations grew by only 1%, to 1.65 million units.
However, the number of registrations of alternative fuel vehicles has increased dramatically in 2021. The data showed that 190,727 units of new battery electric vehicles (BEVs), 114,554 units of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) and 147,246 units of hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) were registered. In general, electric vehicles accounted for about 27.5% of the total car registration market.
The SMMT reported that in 2021, the UK recorded the third largest result of new car registrations in Europe, but the second largest for PHEVs and the second largest for BEV. However, in terms of market share, Britain ranks only ninth in Europe for cars with BEV.
According to the forecast published in October, in 2022 the number of new car registrations will amount to 1.96 million units. However, given the spread of the Omicron coronavirus strain, this forecast may be revised downward.