By WhichEV
In a year marked by both triumph and challenge, the UK’s automotive industry has achieved a significant milestone with record sales of electric vehicles (EVs) in 2024, despite not meeting the government’s ambitious Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) targets. As the nation progresses towards a greener future, the dynamics of the car market continue to evolve rapidly.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a total of 1.95 million new cars were sold in 2024, with EVs comprising 19.6% of these, up from 16.5% in the previous year. This growth in electric car sales is noteworthy, yet it falls short of the government’s target of 22%. Despite this, there were 382,000 battery electric vehicles sold last year, marking a new annual record.
The year saw the Ford Puma and the Kia Sportage leading overall sales, with the Tesla Model Y topping the electric vehicle market, especially in December when Tesla pushed to maximise sales before year-end. This surge helped Tesla maintain its status as the world’s largest EV seller – despite a strong push from Chinese giant, BYD.
