Electric car sales soar in UK despite first overall market drop for six years

More electric and hybrid cars rolled out of UK showrooms than ever in 2017, bucking the trend as overall sales dropped for the first time in six years.

Annual registration figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed the alternatively-fuelled vehicle (AFV) market – hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel vehicles – grew by 34.8%.

Buyers registered almost 120,000 AFVs, resulting in the sector’s highest ever market share of 4.7%. UK drivers buy more plug-in cars than anywhere else in Europe, the figures showed, making Britain a key market for the vehicles.

While AFVs boomed, the internal combustion engine market fell, driven by a 17.1% decline in diesel car registrations. Demand for petrol cars rose slightly, by 2.7%.

Overall, annual demand fell by 5.7%, with nine months of consecutive decline including a drop of 14.4% drop for December. Despite the drop, the overall total of 2,540,617 cars sold was still the third highest level in a decade.

“The decline in the new car market is concerning but it’s important to remember demand remains at historically high levels,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. “More than 2.5m people drove away in a new car last year, benefitting from the latest, safest, cleanest and most fuel-efficient technology.”

He blamed “confusing” anti-diesel messages for the fall in sales. The society claimed diesel cars “remain the right choice” for many motorists, particularly those who travel longer distances, with lower carbon dioxide emissions and better fuel economy. It also said newer vehicles have “dramatically reduced” emissions.

Diesel is blamed for dangerous pollution in busy cities such as London, with gases including toxic nitrogen dioxide posing major health risks. It is blamed for 6,000 early deaths per year in the capital.

In July, the SMMT claimed a newly-announced ban on sales of petrol and diesel cars from 2040 risked “undermining” the automotive sector, while other said it was necessary to protect the environment and public health.

Looking to the year ahead, the body highlighted 60 new models hitting the market with “exciting” next-generation technology, such as systems that detect potential collisions with pedestrians or take over driving in traffic.