The UK new car market fell for the second time this year, down by -6% in October to 144,288 new registrations.
Declines were recorded across all buyer types, with fleets falling for the second time this year, down -1.7%, and the low-volume business market declining -12.8%.
Private purchases continued their two-year decline, down -11.8%, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The fall was driven by double-digit drops in petrol and diesel vehicle deliveries, down -14.2% and -20.5% respectively.
However, uptake of hybrid electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles also fell, down -1.6% and -3.2%.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) were the only powertrain to record growth, with a raft of new models driving the strongest growth this year, up 24.5% to reach a 20.7% share of the market.
UK new car buyers now have more than 125 different BEV models to choose from – an uplift of 38% over the last 10 months.1 While it remains the case that the average BEV has a higher upfront cost than an ICE equivalent, widening choice and huge manufacturer discounting mean that around one in five BEV models now has a lower purchase price than the average petrol or diesel car, especially for buyers able to take advantage of schemes such as salary sacrifice.2
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “Massive manufacturer investment in model choice and market support is helping make the UK the second largest EV market in Europe.
“That transition, however, must not perversely slow down the reduction of carbon emissions from road transport.
“Fleet renewal across the market remains the quickest way to decarbonise, so diminishing overall uptake is not good news for the economy, for investment or for the environment.
“EVs already work for many people and businesses, but to shift the entire market at the pace demanded requires significant intervention on incentives, infrastructure and regulation.”